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^^■■•rslA>A^L/S.',:aS. 







Edited by J.H.Stickne^^ 

Illustrated bj Charles Copeland 


Ginn and Company 

Boston •" NewYork " Chicago — London 


The 

Swiss Family 
Robinson 




COPYRIGHT, 1915, BY GINN AND COMPANY 



ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 



615.8 



^-5- 


Wlft Stfjenaeum 



©Cl, A 4 16 ns 3 

A A 


INTRODUCTION 


N 


OTHING is needful to commend ''The Swiss 
Family Robinson” to the public. It is a work 
of genius, or it could not have achieved the 


reputation it has in many languages. There is hardly a 
man of to-day, who has read at all, to whom its inci- 
dents and lessons are not familiar, and hardly a child — 
certainly not a boy — who is not destined to read the 
book, and find it, when taken all in all, the rival of 
" Robinson Crusoe,” after which it is patterned. 

Again and again do boys who have whole libraries at 
their disposal turn from new books to find in this story a 
healthful delight in legitimate adventure, and a stimulus 
to invention in the ready use of ways and means which 
characterized the lives of the Swiss Robinsons. 

This tale, founded on a Russian sea captain’s report 
of the discovery of a Swiss family that had been ship- 
wrecked on an island near New Guinea, was written by 
Johann David Wyss, a Swiss clergyman, who was born 
in Bern, Switzerland, in 1743. He was an accomplished 
linguist and had read widely. In addition he must have 
been a skilled story-teller, for the adventures of the ship- 
wrecked family were related orally to his four children. 
The author evidently had no thought of publishing the 
account, for it was not printed until many years after 


[iii] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


his death, when the well-known son, Professor Johann 
Rudolf Wyss, placed the story in the printer’s hands. 

The first edition appeared in German, at Zurich, in 
1813, but in this original form the story extended over 
only ten or twelve years, the arrival of a ship from 
Europe at the end of that period enabling the Swiss 
family to return to their native country. 

Madame de Montolieu, when translating this tale into 
French in 1824, suggested to the author’s son that 
he should make a different ending ; but he was, as it 
appears, too much occupied to undertake such a task. 
The accomplished French author, however, obtained his 
permission to complete the story herself. It is her ver- 
sion which is the basis of most of the popular English 
translations. Of these perhaps the best is that of Mrs. 
H. B. Pauli, who was also the translator of Hans 
Andersen and the Grimm brothers. Mrs. Pauli has ac- 
cepted the additions made by Madame de Montolieu and 
approved by Professor Wyss, but has otherwise adhered 
to the form of the tale as it appears in the original 
German edition. 

The aim of the present volume has been to reproduce 
the story as translated by Mrs. Pauli as briefly as is con- 
sistent with completeness. The only changes are those 
necessary in the interest of simplicity and abridgment. 

No attempt has been made either by the translator or 
by the editor to reconcile the incongruity of northern 
bears with tropical serpents in a region where both the 
apple and the coconut flourish. As has been said, "Early 
critics have observed that the lobster of Massachusetts 
[iv] 


INTRODUCTION 

Bay, the flamingo of Africa, the jackal of Asia Minor, 
and the buffalo of our Western plains had never met, 
excepting in a zoological garden and on the neutral 
ground of the Swiss pastor’s Happy Island ; but children 
are happily indifferent to their criticism.” 

Not a small part of the interest of the present volume 
centers in the spirited illustrations by Charles Copeland. 
These constitute the finishing touch which will make the 
book an event in any child’s life. 


[V] 



L».- 


CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Introduction iii 

CHAPTER 

1 . Shipwrecked and Alone 3 

II. A Desolate Island 12 

III. A Voyage of Discovery 24 

IV. The Homeward Journey 35 

V. A Successful Voyage 44 

VI. Bridge-Building 59 

VII. The Journey to the Wonderful Trees . . 67 

VIII. A Night’s Lodging 77 

IX. A Castle in the Air 83 

X. The Visit to Tent House 87 

XI. The Sledge, the Masquerade, and the 

Kangaroo 96 

XH. A Voyage to the Wreck — the Raft . . . 106 

XHI. The Wheelbarrows — Cassava Cakes . . . 114 

XIV. The Pinnace and the Petard 120 

XV. The Walk to the Calabash Wood . . . . 126 

XVI. The Canadian Fowl and the India-Rubber 

Tree 135 

XVI I. Candle-Making — the New Cart 140 

XVHI. The Baby Jackat. 152 

[vii] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

CHAPTER PAGE 

XIX. Grizzle’s Ne.w Friend 167 

XX. Spring Days and the Salt Cavern ... 177 

XXI. The Winter House in the Grotto . . . 185 

XXII. Frank and the Calf 196 

XXIII. The Mischievous Monkeys 207 

XXIV. Jack’s Adventure — the Stranded Whale 217 

XXV. Rowing by Machinery — the Turtle . . 231 

XXVI. The Dreadful Visitor 240 

XXVII. Another Excursion 252 

XXVIII. The Green Valley — the Bears .... 261 

XXIX. The Expedition of the Boys .... 271 

XXX. The Ostrich Trainer ^ . 287 

XXXI. The Crushing-Machine — a Plentiful 

Harvest 303 

XXXH. The Drawbridge — the Hyena . . . . 316 

XXXIH. Fritz relates the Adventures of their 

Excursion 328 

XXXIV. After Ten Years — Pearl Bay .... 343 

XXXV. The Mysterious Message 356 

XXXVI. The Search for Fritz — a Visitor . . . 370 

XXXVH. The Adventures of Fritz — Jenny’s His- 
tory 384 

XXXVHI. The Welcome at Rock House — Con- 
clusion 396 

[ viii ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 




THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


CHAPTER I 


SHIPWRECKED AND ALONE 


^HE storm, which had lasted for six long and ter- 
rible days, appeared on the seventh to redouble its 
fury. We were driven out of our course far to the 
southeast, and all trace of our position was lost. 

Sailors and passengers alike were worn out with fatigue 
and long watching ; indeed, all hope of saving the ship 
had disappeared. The masts were split, the sails rent, and 
the water in the hold from a leak made us expect every 
moment to be swallowed up in the waves. 

Nothing could now be heard but earnest prayers to God 
for mercy — each commending his soul to his Maker, 
knowing that his power alone could save from death. 

My boys stood clinging to their mother, and trembling 
with fear, in our little cabin. 

[3] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


'' Children,” said I, ” God can save us if it is his will ; 
if not, we must resign ourselves to what he judges is best 
for us ; and to die will be to meet again in a better world, 
where partings are unknown.” 

My poor wife wiped her tears and became calm, to 
give courage to her boys ; yet, while endeavoring to 
comfort my family, I could scarcely restrain my own 
grief. 

We knelt together and offered united prayers to the 
Almighty. My eldest boy, Fritz, prayed aloud most ear- 
nestly that God would save his dear parents and brothers, 
seeming not to think at all of his own safety ; and the 
faith of childhood in the power of the prayers they uttered 
restored my own. 

All at once, above the fury of the storm, was heard the 
cry, ” Land, land ! ” but at the same moment we felt a 
shock so violent that I believed the ship had struck on 
a rock and would immediately fall to pieces. The sounds 
of cracking timber and the rush of water over the decks 
quickly proved that I was not mistaken, especially when 
the voice of the captain made itself heard in terrible 
tones: ”We are lost! Lower the boats!” 

"Lost!” I exclaimed in my terror, but the piteous cries 
of my children aroused me. I must not allow them to 
despair at this awful moment. " Keep up your courage ! ” 
I cried; "God can help us still. Let 'us trust in him. 
I will go at once and try to discover whether some way 
of deliverance may not be left for us.” 

I went quickly on deck ; but, as I endeavored to ad- 
vance, wave after wave passed over me. The first dashed 

[4] 


SHIPWRECKED AND ALONE 


me to the ground ; but I struggled to withstand the force 
of the next by clinging to the side of the ship. 

What a sight presented itself ! One boat was far out 
to sea ; and a sailor — the last to leap on board the other 
boat — was about to cut the rope and let it drift away. 
When I realized that they were escaping and had left me 
and my dear ones to perish, I raised my voice in earnest 
entreaty. I cried, I prayed, I implored them to return 
and rescue us ; but my voice was lost amid the roar of 
the storm, and even had I been heard, the fury of the 
waves made the return of the boats an impossibility. 

I looked around me in despair. Then, with a sudden 
hope, I observed the position of the vessel. The bow had 
sunk forward, leaving the stern high above the water as 
far as a kind of partition, situated amidships, which sepa- 
rated the captain’s and the other cabins from the steerage 
of the ship. The wreck was fixed between two rocks, and 
therefore likely to remain in safety, especially if the storm 
abated. A few moments served me to realize the absence 
of immediate danger, and I turned my attention towards 
the shore. A misty rain obscured the view and perhaps 
made it appear more barren and desolate ; yet I deter- 
mined to strain every nerve in an effort to reach a spot 
upon which I now placed my hopes of safety. I went 
below to the cabin and addressed my dear ones hopefully. 

"Take courage, my children,” I said as I entered, "all 
hope is not lost. The ship is fixed between the rocks, 
and this little place of refuge is high above the water. 
To-morrow, if the wind and waves subside, we may be 
able to reach the land,” 

[5] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


The hopefulness of childhood enabled my boys to re- 
ceive this news with transports of joy ; they passed at 
once from despair to unbounded confidence. My wife dis- 
covered my hidden anxiety in spite of my calmness, yet 
I knew by her manner that her confidence in God was 
unshaken, and this gave me new courage. 

Her first act was to search in the steward’s room for 
provisions, and with such success that a plentiful supper 
was quickly prepared for us. 

” Let us take food,” she said ; ” nourishment for the 
body gives strength to the spirit, and we may have a very 
disturbed night.” 

And so it proved. The three younger boys retired to 
rest and were soon fast asleep, overcome with fatigue 
and excitement. Fritz, the eldest, a youth of fourteen, 
understood our position more clearly and preferred to 
share the watch with his parents. 

As night advanced, the storm continued, and the waves 
broke over the lower part of the ship with undiminished 
fury. From time to time a cracking noise told us that 
the planks and beams of the wreck were strained by their 
force, and a continual trembling caused a dread that the 
vessel might at any moment fall in pieces. 

After one of these shocks Fritz exclaimed : '' Father, 
do you think we could find swimming belts on board for 
mother and the boys ? You and I could swim to shore 
if anything happened to the wreck, but they cannot 
swim.” 

” Not a bad thought, my boy,” I replied. ” We will 
search at once.” 


[ 6 ] 


SHIPWRECKED AND ALONE 


But no swimming belts could be obtained, and I deter- 
mined to contrive a plan which I hoped would prove suc- 
cessful. In the steward’s cabin we found a number of 
empty flasks and tin water cans, strong enough to support 
a light person in the waves. These we fastened together 
with pocket handkerchiefs, to tie under the armpits of the 
three boys and my wife. We also supplied ourselves with 
knives, string, a tinder box and matches, and other useful 
but not cumbrous articles, hoping that, should the vessel 
fall to pieces, we might be able to gain the shore, partly 
by swimming and partly by being borne on the waves. 

Fritz, feeling more secure in the safety of his dear 
mother and brothers, now retired to rest. My brave wife 
and I remained awake, listening to each shock that threat- 
ened a change in the position of the vessel. It was indeed 
a sad night for us both ; we passed it in prayer and con- 
sultation respecting our future, till, with thankful hearts, 
we observed the first glimmer of dawn and felt that we 
were safe. 

In a cheerful voice I roused the boys and led them 
with their mother on deck. Then for the first time they 
became aware that we were alone on the ship. 

'' O papa!” exclaimed Jack, "where are the sailors 
and the other passengers } How are we to continue the 
voyage or get to land .? Are they gone ? Why did they 
not take us ” 

" My children,” I said, " our companions have left us 
to our fate, but we must not despair. If we exert our- 
selves and do all we can, God in his mercy will help us.” 

" Could we not make a raft, papa ? ” said Ernest. 

[7] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


It would certainly be an excellent plan if we had the 
materials/’ I replied. 

The sea is calm enough for us to reach the shore by 
swimming,” remarked Fritz. 

” Swimming would be all right for you,” said Ernest, 
"but not for us who can’t swim.” 

"Ah, yes, I forgot. But will not those contrivances 
we made in the night be safe for mamma and the boys, 
papa ” exclaimed Fritz. 

" I would rather adopt some other plan,” I replied. 
" Suppose we search the ship and see if any materials 
can be found for a raft.” 

We all dispersed in different directions. I proceeded 
at once to the provision stores, which, to my great satis- 
faction, were well supplied with both food and water. My 
wife and youngest boy went to visit the animals, Fritz ran 
to the armory room, and Ernest to the ship-carpenter’s 
workshop. Jack, as he opened the door of the captain’s 
cabin, got a little fright. Two large dogs sprang out, 
and, full of joy, bounded upon him so roughly that they 
threw him down, and covered him with their caresses. 
He recovered himself quickly, and mounting the largest 
dog, rode gravely towards me, as I came up from the 
ship’s hold. 

I praised his courage, but not without advising him to 
be more cautious in future with strange animals. 

One by one we returned to the cabin, each bringing 
what he considered most useful in our position. 

Fritz brought powder, small shot, bullets, and two 
sporting guns. Ernest held in his hand a hatful of nails 
[ 8 ] 


SHIPWRECKED AND ALONE 

and a hammer, while from his pocket stuck out a pair of 
pincers and a hatchet. Even little Frank had a packet 
of fishing hooks and lines, with which he seemed much 
pleased. 

"As to myself,” said my dear wife, "I have brought 
only good news. There are still alive on the ship a cow, 
a donkey, two goats, six sheep, a ram, and a sow.” 

"You have all done well,” I said; "yet I am afraid 
Master Jack has brought two tremendous eaters instead 
of anything useful.” 

" Oh, but, papa ! ” exclaimed Jack, " when we get on 
shore the dogs will help us hunt.” 

"Yes,” I replied ; " but first how are we to get there .? ” 

" Can we not sail in tubs,” said Jack, " as I did on the 
pond at home ? ” 

" Happy thought ! ” I exclaimed ; "let us begin at 
once. We will see what can be found in the hold.” 

My wife and the boys, except Jack, followed me to 
the hold, and we drew from the water four large empty 
casks. I found them exactly suited to my purpose and 
set to work at once to saw them apart through the mid- 
dle. We succeeded after great exertion, and I contem- 
plated with pride the eight half casks, or tubs, as they 
stood side by side on the sloping deck. 

" I could never dare to trust myself on the open sea in 
one of those things,” said my wife with a sigh. 

" Do not alarm yourself too soon, dear wife,” I replied; 
" my work is not yet finished. Wait a little ; you will 
find that these tubs are much better for us than a wrecked 
vessel which is a fixture in the rocks.” 

[9] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

After a search I discovered a long and flexible plank 
and upon this fastened my eight tubs. Two other planks 
I also found, and these we nailed firmly to the tubs on 
each side and brought together at the ends to form the 
stem and stern. In reality I had made a narrow boat, 
divided into eight compartments. All was strong and well 
fitted, but, alas ! it was found to be so heavy that we were 
not able to move it an inch. 

" Bring me one of the capstan rods,” I cried ; ” I can 
use it as a lever.” 

BTitz ran to find one. I cut off some pieces of wood 
from the sail yards for rollers, and as I lifted the lower 
part of my boat with the iron bar, Fritz placed them 
underneath. 

” How strange,” exclaimed Ernest, "that one man 
can do more with that thing than we could all do with 
all our strength ! ” 

"If we get safely to land, Ernest, I will explain it to 
you ; the iron bar forms a lever, which is one of the six 
mechanical powers.” 

While saying this I was fastening a rope to the tub raft 
with a strong knot, and after placing the two rollers under 
it and giving it a slight push, we had the pleasure of see- 
ing our little vessel glide from the lower deck to the sea. 
She descended with such rapidity that had I not taken the 
precaution to fasten the rope to a beam on the wreck, she 
would have been carried far out of our reach. Unfortu- 
nately the boat leaned so much to one side that no one 
would have dared to embark in it, but I saw in a moment 
what it wanted. I quickly gathered up all the heavy things 
[ 10 ] 


SHIPWRECKED AND ALONE 


around me and threw them as ballast into the tubs, and 
the boat immediately righted itself. I remembered read- 
ing that savage nations made use of an outrigger to pre- 
vent their canoes overturning, and this I determined to 
add to my work. I fixed two portions of a topsail yard — 
one over the prow, the other across the stern — in such a 
manner that they should not be in the way in pushing off 
our boat from the wreck, and forced the end of each yard 
into the bunghole of an empty brandy cask, to keep the 
boat steady during our progress. Nothing now remained 
but to secure the oars for our voyage on the morrow. 

I took the precaution to desire my boys to attach the 
empty cans and flasks to their arms, as a means of safety 
should anything happen to the ship, and advised my wife 
to dress herself in sailor’s clothes, as more convenient for 
swimming should she be thrown into the water. 

She objected greatly, but I convinced her of the safety 
the dress would prove in case of accident, and she retired 
to make the change. When she reappeared I could npt 
help paying her a compliment, for the dress became her 
admirably. My bright hopes for the morrow made her 
forget her boyish appearance, and she retired to her berth 
and slept peacefully till morning. 



CHAPTER II 

A DESOLATE ISLAND 

A DAYBREAK we were all awake, for hope as 
truly as care is not a friend to sleep. As soon 
as we had knelt and offered our morning pray- 
ers to God, I said to my children : "I hope that now, 
with the aid of the Almighty, we shall soon be out of 
danger. And first let us provide food and water for the 
poor animals for several days ; we may be able to return 
for them, if we succeed in reaching the land. And will 
you, my boys, collect all that we shall require to take 
with us for our most pressing wants .? ” 

My first care had been to place on board our little bark 
a keg of powder, three fowling pieces, guns, pistols, and a 
supply of bullets, with a bullet mold and lead to prepare 
more when these were gone. To my wife and each of the 
boys I gave a game bag filled with provisions — tablets 
of soup, dried meat, and biscuits. 

[ 12 ] 



A DESOLATE ISLAND 

I loaded two of the tubs with an iron pot for cooking, a 
fishing line and rod, a box of nails, a hammer, saw, hatchet, 
pincers, and a quantity of sailcloth with which to erect a 
tent. So many things were at last collected that I had to 
set aside those least useful for objects more precious. 

When all was ready we knelt to ask protection on our 
perilous voyage. I then placed the boys each in a cask 
and waited for my wife. She presently returned from the 
cabin, bringing a large, well-filled bag which she threw 
into the tub with little Frank — as I thought, to form a 
more comfortable seat for her youngest boy. 

We were about to follow the children into the boat, 
when all at once the cocks began to crow and the hens 
to cluck in such a mournful manner that they appeared 
to be complaining at being left behind. 

'' I think we might manage to take them with us,” I 
said. Two cocks and ten hens were accordingly placed 
in the tubs, and I contrived a kind of latticework from 
splinters of wood, to keep them from jumping out. The 
ducks, geese, and pigeons I merely set free, convinced 
that they would find their way to land, either through 
the air or by water. 

At length, when we were all safely stowed away in our 
tubs, I cut the cable and placed myself at the helm. In the 
first was my wife, close behind her little Frank ; the two 
next contained the ammunition, the sailcloth, the tools, 
the provisions, and the chickens ; Fritz occupied the fifth ; 
Ernest and Jack, the sixth and seventh ; and I had taken 
the last for myself, that I might guide the vessel by the 
stern oar, which served for a rudder. 

[ 13] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


Each of the older boys took an oar, and, like their 
mother and little Frank, wore the swimming belts I had 
contrived as a protection in case our strange craft should 
be capsized. 

It was just half tide as we quitted the vessel, and I 
counted upon that to carry us to land and compensate 
for the weakness of our rowers. 

In a few moments the two dogs, which had been left 
on the wreck, whined piteously and sprang into the sea 
and swam after us. Turk was a large English mastiff, 
and Floss, equally large, a Danish hound. I feared they 
would not be able to swim for such a distance, but by 
now and then resting their forepaws on the planks which 
balanced the tubs, they followed us without much trouble. 

Finding we made but little progress, I took another 
oar, and after guiding the boat into the current of the 
flowing tide, our navigation became less difficult, and we 
found ourselves approaching the shore. 

Around us floated chests, casks, and bales of goods — 
the debris of the ill-fated ship. Fritz and I hooked some 
of them with our oars and fastened them to our raft. 

As we drew nearer, the land lost much of its wild and 
sterile aspect, and Fritz, who has the eye of a falcon, 
declared that he could distinguish trees and among them 
the palm and coconut. 

" Oh ! ” cried Ernest, who was fond of good things, 
'' how nice it will be to have coconuts ! They are larger 
and better than the nuts of Europe.” 

A difficulty now arose as to the most convenient point 
on the coast for us to land, and I was beginning to regret 

[> 4 ] 


A DESOLATE ISLAND 

that I had forgotten to bring the telescope from the cap- 
tain’s cabin, when Jack drew from his pocket a smaller 
one and offered it to me with delight at being able to 
gratify my wish. 

I presently perceived a narrow bay, towards which our 
ducks and geese were rapidly swimming in advance of 
us, as if to lead the way. 

As I cautiously guided our boat towards the entrance I 
found the water only sufficiently deep to float it, and we 
arrived at last, after some little trouble, at a spot where 
it was so shallow that the shore was on a level with the 
top of our tubs. 

We sprang out joyfully from the boat. The dogs, which 
had arrived as soon as ourselves, bounded with joy and 
barked around us in the wildest manner. The geese and 
ducks quacked to welcome us. To this and the barking 
of the dogs were added the cries of flamingos, who flew 
away as we appeared, and the screams of penguins 
perched on the rocks. 

We were safe, and our first act was to fall upon our 
knees and thank God for having mercifully preserved us 
in the hour of danger and pray to him to continue to 
grant us his protection. 

We commenced unloading the boat, and after choos- 
ing a suitable spot, prepared to erect a tent as a place of 
shelter for the night. One of the poles which had served 
to balance the boat was firmly fixed in the ground, and 
the end of another placed upon the top of it, the oppo- 
site end being fixed in a crevice of the rock. Over this 
framework we threw our sailcloth, stretching it out as 
[IS] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

far as possible on all sides and then fastening it to the 
ground with a number of stakes. 

For greater security our chests and other heavy arti- 
cles were placed around the cloth to keep out the wind, 
and Fritz attached hooks to the edges in front, that we 
might draw them together during the night. Then L sent 
the children to gather as much moss and grass as they 
could find and lay it in the sun to dry, that we might 
have something softer than the hard ground to sleep 
on at night. 

While they were thus engaged I went some distance 
from the tent and, on the borders of the little creek by 
which we had reached the land, piled up a number of 
large stones for a fireplace. Branches of trees and dried 
wood I found readily, and gathering armfuls, placed them 
on my stone hearth ; and presently a fire — that true friend 
of man — rose sparkling and flaming towards the sky. 

Upon this I placed our iron pot, full of water, and into 
it my wife threw one of the tablets, for she intended us 
to have soup for dinner. Little Frank took the portable 
soup for glue and could not conceive how his mother 
could make soup, as we had no meat and there were no 
butchers’ shops at hand. 

Meanwhile Fritz loaded his gun and took his way 
along the banks of the stream. Ernest turned towards 
the sea, while Jack wandered among the rocks to search 
for shells. I employed myself in drawing from the water 
the two casks which we had secured in our transit from 
the ship to the shore. 

I discovered, however, that while the water at the spot 

[. 6 ] 


A DESOLATE ISLAND 

on which we landed was convenient for unloading the 
boat, it had not depth enough to float it when heavily 
laden. While I stood considering what was best to be 
done, I heard Jack cry out as if in terror. Seizing a 
hatchet, I ran in the direction of his voice and saw him 
in the water up to his knees, and an enormous lobster 
holding him by the leg in one of its claws while he tried 
in vain to get rid of his enemy. 

I jumped into the water, and disabling the crustaceous 
animal with my hatchet, brought him ashore, to Jack’s 
great delight. 

He caught the creature in both his hands, but hardly 
had he touched it when it struck him such a violent 
blow with its tail that he threw it on the ground and 
began to cry. 

I terribly offended him by laughing outright, and in 
his anger he took up a stone and stunned the fallen foe 
by a blow on the head. 

It is not generous to strike a vanquished foe,” I ex- 
claimed. ” You should have approached the creature 
more cautiously.” 

Finding the lobster helpless. Jack ran with it to his 
mother, exclaiming : ” See, mamma ! Ernest ! Frank ! 
look, I ’ve caught a lobster — such a large one ! Where 
is Fritz .? ” 

Everyone congratulated him on his success, and Ernest 
suggested that the creature should be at once cooked for 
dinner, and that it would make delicious soup. But his 
mother decided that it should be set aside till we had 
more need of it. 

[17] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


As will be seen in the story, my four boys possessed 
very different dispositions. Fritz, the eldest, was a 
manly, intelligent boy of fourteen, quick tempered, but 
generous to a fault. Ernest, aged twelve, was more 
gentle and refined than his elder brother, but with, 
veiy little energy and a tendency to indolence and self- 
indulgence, which rendered him far less useful than 
even his high-spirited younger brother Jack, a boy of 
ten. Little Frank, only six, was the youngest, and 
rather childish, as the youngest of a family is apt 
to be. 

The reader will see, as the story proceeds, how the 
position into which we were thrown tended to develop 
traits of character in these four boys. 

Jack’s pride in the capture of the lobster made him 
forget his alarm and cowardice. 

"You see this monster!” he exclaimed; "he caught 
me by the leg with his terrible claws, and I believe he 
would have torn it but for my thick sailor’s trousers. 
However, I soon settled him.” 

" Little boaster I ” I said to him, " you would more 
likely have been settled by the lobster, had I not run to 
your assistance.” 

" I think I have seen,” cried Ernest, " some animals 
quite as good to eat as Jack’s lobster, but I did not care 
to get any, because I should have had to wade through 
the water.” 

"What an excuse I ” exclaimed Jack. "Afraid of get- 
ting wet I and they were only mussels, I dare say, and 
not fit to eat.” 

[i8] 


A DESOLATE ISLAND 


''In my opinion they are oysters,” replied Ernest, 
“ and they are not at any great depth in the water.” 

” And pray, why did you not bring us some for 
dinner ? In our present position every sort of whole- 
some food is acceptable. And to fear getting wet is 
absurd ! You see that the sun has dried my clothes 
and Jack’s already.” 

” I forgot that, papa,” replied Ernest, ” or I could have 
brought salt as well. I saw a great quantity in the crev- 
ices of the rocks, left there by the sea, I suppose.” 

” Of course, my son. Go and fetch some, unless you 
would like to eat your soup without it.” 

In a short time he returned with what was evidently 
common salt, but so mixed with sand that I should have 
thrown it away had not my wife prevented me. 

” I can improve it,” she said, " by dissolving it in fresh 
water and straining it through a piece of linen.” 

” Why could we not use sea water ? ” asked Jack. 

” Because it would be too bitter,” replied Ernest. 
” The bitter taste is very strong when sea water is boiled.” 

My wife now informed us that the soup was ready. 
But Fritz had not returned. Where could he be .? While 
we waited she remarked : "How are we to eat the soup, 
now that it is prepared .? We have neither spoons nor 
cups. We are in the same predicament as the fox in 
the fable, when the stork offered him his breakfast in a 
jug with a long narrow neck.” 

We all laughed heartily, especially when Ernest said, 
"If we only had coconut shells divided in two, they 
would make splendid cups.” 

[19] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


” No doubt,” I replied; ”why don’t you wish we had 
a dozen silver spoons ? Wishing is useless ; can you not 
invent something ? ” 

” Those shells I saw would serve us for spoons capi- 
tally,” said Ernest. 

” A bright idea, my boy. Oyster shells are better than 
nothing ; so run, boys, and get as many as you can.” 

Away started Jack. Ernest followed slowly, and when 
he reached the spot, there was Jack up to his knees in 
the water. As he stood still, dreading to wet his feet. 
Jack detached the oysters and threw them to his brother. 

"You can gather them up and help me carry them,” 
he said, " if you are so afraid of the water.” 

Ernest gladly assented, and they quickly obtained a 
sufficient number. As they returned, Fritz also reap- 
peared. He came forward with one hand behind his 
back, affecting a dispirited air. 

" Have you found nothing .? ” I asked. 

" Nothing at all,” he answered. But his brothers, who 
crowded round him, shouted, " Did you kill it ? Oh, do 
show it to us ! ” 

Fritz, then, with a self-satisfied air, placed before me 
the first result of his hunting exploits. 

"You have succeeded, no doubt, Fritz,” I said gravely; 
" but I cannot allow you to utter falsehoods, even in joke 
or to surprise us. The habit of untruthfulness in play 
easily leads to speaking falsely on serious subjects.” 

Fritz promised not to offend again. Then he told 
us he had wandered to the other side of the creek 
and found the vegetation very different — green grass, 
[ 20 ] 


A DESOLATE ISLAND 


pleasant meadows, and such magnificent trees to shade 
us from the heat. 

‘'And, papa,” he added, "there are chests and boxes 
and spars floating about from the wreck. Can we not go 
and bring them .? If the animals that we left on board 
were here, it would be easy to find food for them ; and 
how useful they would be, especially the cow, which would 
supply us with milk ! Don’t let us stay in this barren 
place.” 

" Patience, patience ! ” I said. " One thing at a time. 
To-morrow we will try what can be done. But tell me, 
did you see anything of our fellow passengers ? ” 

"No, papa ; not a single trace on sea or land. But, 
papa, I think this place is an island, and,” he added 
quickly, " there are pigs here, for I have shot one. I don’t 
think it exactly resembles the pigs in Europe, for its 
paws are more like those of a hare. I saw several in the 
grass. They had no fear of me, so I ventured quite close 
and saw them sitting on their hind legs and feeding 
themselves like squirrels. If I had not been afraid they 
would all escape from me, I should have tried to catch 
one alive, for they appeared almost tame.” 

Ernest, in spite of his indolent habits, had been a 
great reader and was perhaps the most intellectual of my 
boys. He had been examining the dead animal carefully 
while his brother talked. 

"This is not a pig at all, Fritz,” he said ; "it has hair 
like silk, and four large incisor teeth in front. I believe 
it is an animal I ’ve read about in my natural history, 
called an agouti.” 

[21 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


Indeed ! ” said Fritz. ” I believe it ’s a young pig.” 

'' Gently, gently,” I cried ; "don’t be so hasty. Ernest, 
I believe, is right. I have never seen .the agouti, but the 
appearance of this animal corresponds entirely with the 
descriptions I have read, as well as with the pictures.” 

While we were discussing this question. Jack was try- 
ing to open an oyster with his knife but without success. 

I showed him that if laid upon hot coals they opened 
of themselves. 

"See, my children,” I said; "this is considered a 
great delicacy. Let us taste it.” 

Fritz and Jack, imitating my example, declared them 
wery bad, and Ernest and Frank agreed with them. 
No one cared to eat any more, so we threw away all 
but the shells and used them as spoons. 

While we were making a good meal, the dogs, which 
thought they could not do better than follow our ex- 
ample, discovered Fritz’s agouti and began to attack it. 
Perceiving this, Fritz was furious, and the first thing he 
could lay hold of being his gun, he struck them with it 
so violently as to break it. Then, when they made their 
escape, he threw stones after them as long as he thought 
he could reach them. 

My voice recalled him to himself, and when his rage 
subsided I talked seriously to him about this hasty tem- 
per, which appeared to become worse instead of better 
as he grew older. He looked very much ashamed, own- 
ing that he was wrong, and presently I observed him 
trying to make friends with the dogs. 

The sun was setting as we finished our repast. The 
[ 22 ] 


A DESOLATE ISLAND 


fowls and ducks gathered round us, and my wife got them 
some corn from the bag I had seen her throw into the 
tub Frank had occupied. I praised her forethought, but 
suggested that the birds be fed on biscuit crumbs and 
that the corn be kept for sowing. The pigeons went to 
roost in the crevices of the rocks, and the fowls on the 
top of the tent, while the ducks sought shelter for the 
night among the rushes at the mouth of the stream. We 
also made preparations for repose. We loaded our arms 
and placed them so as to be at hand in case of any alarm, 
and having offered up our evening prayer, retired into 
the tent. To the great surprise of the children, it was 
almost immediately dark, from which I inferred that 
we were somewhere near the equator, or at least within 
the tropics. 

I looked out once more to make sure that all was right 
and then closed the entrance to our tent. It was a chill, 
fresh night, and the cold made us draw close together. 
The children were soon asleep. My wife and I had ar- 
ranged that I should watch till midnight, and that she 
should then replace me ; but insensibly sleep crept over 
me, and God alone watched over us during the first night 
we passed in exile. 


[23] 



CHAPTER III 

A VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY 

A EARLY dawn we were aroused by the crowing 
of the cocks, and my wife and I consulted to- 
gether on the best plan to adopt in our proceed- 
ings during the day. She agreed with me that not only 
was it necessary to search for some trace of our fellow 
passengers but also to explore the country before we 
decided upon our future resting place. She understood 
readily that it would be impossible for the whole family 
to venture on such an expedition and proposed, there- 
fore, that I should take Fritz, as he was the strongest 
and the most useful, leaving the younger boys under 
her care. I was thankful to find her reconciled to this 
arrangement and begged her to prepare breakfast while 
I aroused the boys. 

"We have not much left for breakfast,” she said, 
" only the remains of the soup.” 

[24] 


A VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY 

''But where is Jack’s lobster?” I cried, "what has 
he 4one with it ? ” 

"Will you not ask him,” she replied, "while I light 
a fire and put the water on to boil ? ” 

The boys were soon awake, and I inquired of Jack 
what had become of the lobster. 

He ran at once to bring it from a crevice in the rock, 
where he had hidden it for safety. 

" I was determined the dogs should not devour it as 
they did the agouti, papa,” he said. 

"You take care of what belongs to yourself, my boy,” 
I said ; " I hope you will also care for the wants of others. 
I think you ought to give up to Fritz the daws of the 
lobster which I promised you, to provide him with a 
dinner on his journey to-day.” 

" A journey, a journey ! ” they all cried ; " are we 
going ? ” and began to jump and dance round me like 
young kids. 

"This time it is impossible,” I said; "we know not 
what dangers we may meet. Fritz and I have strength 
to struggle against them, and to bear the fatigue of a 
long journey. You must stay here with your mother, in 
safety. We shall take Turk with us and leave Floss to 
guard you.” 

When I desired Fritz to take his gun and an ax, 
with a game bag, he blushed, and asked my permission 
to choose another gun instead of his own. 

To this I readily agreed, for I felt pleased to see that 
he remembered his outburst of temper with shame. 

I told him to place two small pistols in his belt, while 

[25] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


I loaded the game bag with powder and shot, some bis- 
cuits, and a bottle of water. 

By this time breakfast was ready ; it consisted of the 
lobster and some biscuits. 

"We ought to start soon, papa,” he said, "before the 
heat of the day comes on.” 

"Quite right, my boy,” I replied; "but we have for- 
gotten something of great importance.” 

" What is it ” he asked, " to say farewell to mamma 
and the boys .? ” 

"I know,” said Ernest; "we have not had morning 
prayers yet.” 

"Yes, my boy. We forget God too easily while think- 
ing of the requirements of this life, and yet we never 
wanted his succor and protection more surely than now.” 

Before Fritz and I started, I called the younger boys 
round their mother and enjoined them to obey her im- 
plicitly in everything. I reminded her also to be sure to 
keep a loaded gun close at hand and not to lose sight 
of our tub boat, as in case of alarm it would prove a 
place of refuge. 

At last we separated, and I heard the sorrowful adieus 
of those we left behind till we reached the banks of the 
stream which we intended to cross. 

The ground rose abruptly, and we were obliged to 
follow the current for a time, to find a spot at which to 
cross and get farther inland. 

After walking a long distance, the stream grew nar- 
rower, and we contrived to leap from stone to stone, and 
reach the opposite bank in safety. 

[26] 


A VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY 


We had not advanced a hundred steps when we heard 
a rustling in the grass behind us. I stopped, and saw 
Fritz fearlessly raise his gun and wait calmly for the 
unknown enemy, which proved to be no other than our 
dog Turk. We had forgotten to call him, and he had 
been sent after us. I overwhelmed the animal with 
caresses and praised Fritz for his steadiness and caution, 
for had he fired through fear, he might have killed 
the dog. 

** You see, my son,” I said, ” how fatal our passions 
are, if not under control. Yesterday through anger, and 
to-day from fear, you might have destroyed our best and 
most useful friends.” 

While conversing thus we reached the seashore. Here 
we stood still for a while, looking in every direction across 
the ocean, in the hope of discovering the boats contain- 
ing our fellow passengers ; but not even in the sand 
could we find any trace of the footsteps of man. 

" Why should we trouble ourselves about those who 
forsook us so cruelly ? ” asked Fritz. 

” For several reasons, my boy,” I replied ; ” and first, 
because we ought always to return good for evil. If they 
could not be useful to us, we might help them greatly, 
for they carried nothing away from the wreck.” 

We continued our walk inland and at the end of two 
hours arrived at the entrance of a wood. Here we halted, 
and seated ourselves in the cool shade by a rippling 
brook. 

Fritz fancied he saw an ape among the foliage, and 
the uneasiness of Turk, who barked furiously, confirmed 

[27] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


him in his idea. He rose to assure himself that he was 
right, and while looking up and regardless of his steps, 
struck his foot violently against something round which 
had fallen in his path. 

He picked it up, and bringing it to me, said : '' What 
is this, papa I think it must be the nest of some bird.” 

I smiled as I replied, ” It is a nut, my boy ; a coconut, 
too.” 

” Some birds make round nests, I know,” he persisted. 

” Certainly they do ; but that is no reason that this 
should be a nest. Do you not remember that the coco- 
nut has two shells ; the outer one thin and covered with 
fibres, and the inner one hard and containing a milky 
fluid .? Break it, Fritz, and you will find the inner nut, 
or kernel, inside.” 

He obeyed ; but the nut was evidently an old one, 
for the inside of the kernel was quite decayed and unfit 
to eat. I proposed that we should go farther into the 
wood, where no doubt grew other coconut trees, and 
perhaps meet with a fresher one. 

A little farther on, the wood became so thick that we 
were obliged to cut our way through with the hatchet. 
At last we saw, scattered here and there, solitary trees 
of a peculiar species, which attracted the notice of Fritz. 

His keen eyes espied two of such a singular appear- 
ance that he stopped to examine them and then cried, 
” Papa, look at those trees with large bulbs growing on 
the trunks ! ” 

I drew nearer, and found to my great satisfaction a 
group of calabash trees, loaded with fruit. 

[28] 


A VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY 

” What can those excrescences be ? ” he asked. 

'‘We will soon discover the secret,” I replied. ” Gather 
one of them, and let us examine the interior.” 

Immediately he placed in my hands a common gourd, 
with a shell which seemed to me unusually soft. 

"This gourd, Fritz,” I said, "has in general a hard 
dry shell, of which cups, plates, and bottles can be made. 
The flexible stem of the plant on which it grows winds 
itself about the trunks and boughs of large and strong 
trees, from which the gourd is suspended. Can you think 
for what reason } ’ ’ 

"Yes,” replied Fritz; "without this support, the 
weight of the gourd would break the branches of the 
plant on which it grows.” 

"You have judged rightly,” I replied; "and it will 
prove to you how wisely God has arranged all things.” 

After a little talk about the uses of the gourd, we set 
about making dishes and plates. I tied a piece of string 
tightly around the gourd, which slightly opened the bark. 
I then drew it tighter and inserted the point of my knife 
in the opening. It became at once ah easy task to draw the 
string through the softer part within and so separate the 
shell into two sections, each forming a useful basin. Fritz 
had spoiled his by cutting it irregularly with his knife. 

I then showed him how to form the shell into bottles, 
spoons, and other articles, and as each appeared he 
expressed his joy at the thought of the useful things 
he should be able to take to his mother. 

" They appear very fragile,” he said at last. 

"That is easily rectifled,” I replied; "All them with 

[^9] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


sand, Fritz, and bury them on the shore. The heat of 
the sun will soon harden them.” 

We then continued our journey, marking the spot so 
that we might find it again on our way home. 

After walking for nearly four hours we arrived at a , 
kind of peninsula, which stretched far out into the sea 
and terminated in a small but steep hill. Up this we 
climbed with some difficulty, but when we reached the 
top the calm ocean stretched before us, sparkling in the 
sunlight. To our left appeared a small bay ; while, almost 
to the water’s edge, the rich verdure of the land dis- 
played treasures unknown in the continent of Europe. 

After gazing with delight on this fertile spot, we 
turned towards the sea and examined with our glass its 
vast expanse ; but no trace of our companions could be 
discovered. The same result followed our search through 
the glass over the inland prospect. No habitations of 
man nor signs of his presence could be discovered. 

The reflection that we were alone saddened me, and 
after some minutes of silence, I said : ” Fritz, God has 
prepared for us another destiny than the one we antici- 
pated. He has chosen for us the life of colonists. We 
must be as patient and as happy as possible on our 
lonely island.” 

"We boys will soon grow strong enough to help you, 
papa, and God will preserve us.” 

" True, my son. I am glad to hear you say this ; it 
gives me courage. However, we must not remain longer 
in this burning sun. Let us find a shady spot in which 
we may rest while we take some refreshment.” 

[30] 


A VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY 


As we descended the hill, we perceived at a little dis- 
tance a grove of palm trees ; but to reach it we had to 
cross a large space thickly grown with tall reeds. 

We advanced cautiously, for at every step we feared 
that we should tread upon venomous snakes. I sent 
Turk on before, and as a further means of defense, 
cut from the reeds, which were tall and thick, one of 
the strongest I could find, to carry in my hand. 

Soon to my astonishment a glutinous liquid ran be- 
tween my fingers. I touched it with my lips, and its 
sweet taste proved at once that we had discovered a wild 
growth of sugar canes. 

I told Fritz, who was a little in advance of me, to cut 
a reed as a protection, but said nothing of the sugar. 

He obeyed at once, seized the cane, and commenced 
brandishing it over his head and striking the reeds right 
and left to frighten away serpents. In so doing he broke 
it and set free an abundance of the juice, which streamed 
upon his hands. Without a word he tasted it, and jump- 
ing for joy, cried : " Papa ! O papa ! it is the sugar cane ! 
Only taste it ! ” 

He broke his reed in several places and sucked the 
juice eagerly. 

''I should like,” he said, 'Ho take some of these to 
my mother and brothers, as well as a few to refresh our- 
selves on the way.” I advised him not to take too many, 
for we had still a long way to go ; but he cut a dozen of 
the largest, and stripping them of their leaves, carried 
them under his arm. We had scarcely entered the palm 
wood when a troop of monkeys, startled by our footsteps 

[31 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


and Turk’s barking, rushed up the trees, where they sat 
grinning and chattering. Fritz, without a moment’s re- 
flection, threw down his bundle of canes and seized his 
gun, but I stopped him. 

" Why would you kill the animals ? ” 

"Monkeys,” he said, "are wicked, silly animals. Just 
see how they are showing their teeth at us ! ” 

"Yes, but they are enraged, and not without reason. 
We have intruded upon them ; do not let us unneces- 
sarily kill any creature.” I picked up some stones and 
threw them, but not high enough to reach the monkeys. 
Their rage at this increased to fury, and presently they 
plucked and poured down upon us a perfect hail of 
coconuts. We had to save ourselves as we best could, 
in the shelter of the trees or by jumping aside to avoid 
them. 

Fritz laughed heartily, and when the coconut shower 
ceased, with eager satisfaction gathered as many as he 
could carry. 

We sought for a spot in which to enjoy our harvest of 
nuts, the shells of which we broke with a hatchet ; and 
by making a hole with a knife at one end of the kernel 
and another on the opposite side, we were able to suck 
the milk. It was not exactly to our taste, but after break- 
ing the inner shell we found a white part inside, which, 
being easily scraped off with the new spoons, proved 
very agreeable eating. The juice from the sugar canes 
completed our delicious feast. 

The remains of the crab were given to Turk, with a 
few biscuit, and as he did not appear satisfied we threw 

[32] 





THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


him some pieces of the sugar cane and coconuts, which 
he pounced upon eagerly and crunched between his teeth 
till not a morsel remained. 

After we had finished our repast I selected a few of 
the coconuts, the stalks of which still adhered, and tied 
them together to enable me to cany them more easily. 
Fritz took up his bundle of sugar canes, and we started 
on our homeward walk. 


[34] 



THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY 

IT SOON discovered that Fritz found the weight of 
his canes considerably more than he expected ; he 
J-L shifted them from shoulder to shoulder, then for a 
while carried them under his arm, and finally stopped 
short with a sigh. "I had no idea,” he said, "that a 
few reeds would be so heavy.” 

" Never mind, my boy,” I said, " patience and cour- 
age ! Do you not remember the story of ^sop and his 
bread basket — how heavy he found it when he started, 
and how light at the end of his journey Let us each 
take a fresh staff, and then fasten the bundle crosswise 
on your gun.” 

As we went along, I often tasted my cane ; and Fritz, 
trying to imitate me, found he could not extract any 
juice. 

" Reflect a little,” I said, " and I am sure you will find 
the reason.” 


[ 35 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


It soon occurred to him that he must make an opening 
above the first knot of the cane to let in the air. This 
done, he found no difficulty in refreshing himself as much 
as he wished with this delicious beverage. He drew my 
attention, however, to the fact that if we continued to 
use them as we were doing, very few of the canes would 
reach the tent. "Do not let that trouble you,” I said, 
"for the heat of the sun will probably turn the sweet juice 
sour, after the canes have been cut and exposed to it.” 

"At any rate,” replied Fritz, "they will taste the coco 
milk, for I have some in my tin flask.” 

"Don’t be too sure, Fritz. You may find a bottle full 
of vinegar instead of coconut milk when we reach home. 
When taken out of its natural receptacle, it quickly 
spoils.” 

" Shall we try some now .? ” he asked. 

The bottle was taken from the bag, and as we endeav- 
ored to force the cork the contents flew into the air, 
foaming like champagne. 

We tasted it, and found it very delicious. Fritz was so 
delighted with it that I warned him to be moderate, lest 
it should go to his head. Much refreshed, we walked on 
more briskly and soon returned to the place where we 
had left our calabash dishes. 

We found them dry and so well preserved that they 
could easily be carried in the game bag. 

Scarcely had we entered the wood when Turk rushed 
past us, barking furiously at a group of monkeys who 
were enjoying their gambols in perfect ignorance of 
our approach. 


[36] 


THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY 

Alarmed at the barking of the dog, they sprang into 
the trees out of his way — all but a female monkey, who 
carried a little one on her back and could not escape. 

Before we reached him Turk had seized the poor 
animal, and although Fritz, throwing off his hat and the 
sugar canes, had rushed to the rescue, he arrived too late 
to save her. 

Fritz tried to drive the dog away, but I advised him 
to desist. The unsatisfied hunger of Turk had rendered 
him savage and therefore dangerous. The baby monkey 
had fallen on the grass when Turk seized its mother, and 
was looking at the dog and making all sorts of grimaces. 
The instant the little one caught sight of Fritz, he jumped 
with one spring upon his back and clung firmly to his 
hair. Neither cries nor blows on the poor little creature 
could release Fritz of his burden ; and seeing there was 
no danger, the annoyance to Fritz and the grimaces of 
the little monkey* rendered it impossible for me to help 
laughing heartily. 

I hastened, however, to remove the unwelcome guest, 
and succeeded, by caresses and gentleness, in relieving 
Fritz. The monkey was not much larger than a kitten 
and evidently incapable of providing for itself. I took it 
in my arms as I would an infant. 

" The little creature has lost its mother and has taken 
you for its adopted father, Fritz,” I said, joking him. 
” I wonder what resemblance he finds in you to his own 
family.” 

” The little rogue ! ” laughed Fritz. ” I suppose he 
discovered that I am good-natured and kind to animals, 

[37] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


so he placed himself under my protection. He has pulled 
my hair terribly, but please let me keep him. We can 
feed him with coconut milk; or if we get the cow and 
the goat from the ship, there will be milk to spare. And 
perhaps the instinct of this little creature may help us 
to discover if the fruits and vegetables we find are fit 
for food.” 

I consented on condition that he teach it to be obe- 
dient, and we continued our walk. Turk soon overtook 
us. The little monkey seemed uneasy at the sight of 
him and -crept into Fritz’s bosom, much to his inconven- 
ience. But a thought struck Fritz ; he tied the monkey 
with a cord to Turk’s back, leading the dog by another 
cord, and though he was very rebellious at first, our 
threats and caresses at last induced him to submit to his 
burden. We proceeded slowly, and I could not help an- 
ticipating the mirth of my little ones when they saw us 
approach like a pair of showmen. 

Almost before we were aware, we drew near to the 
stream which we had crossed at the falls in the morning. 
Floss scented us from afar and barked loudly. Turk 
barked in reply with all his might, and so alarmed his 
little cavalier that he sprang from the dog’s back to the 
shoulders of Fritz, and nothing could induce him to 
descend. Turk, finding himself free, set off to recon- 
noiter the country and crossed the river by swimming. 

The dear ones soon appeared one after the other on 
the opposite bank to welcome our approach, and, full 
of joy and affection, our happy party was once more 
united. 


[38] 


THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY 


The children gave themselves scarely time to examine 
what we had brought, before they began shouting: "Oh, 
a monkey ! Fritz, where did you find it ? Oh, what a 
pretty little creature ! I wish I knew what it could eat. 
But what are those sticks for } And look at those great 
things papa is carrying ! ” 

When the first transports were over I said : "I am 
overjoyed to see you all. We have returned in safety, 
thank God, and have brought you all sorts of good things, ^ 
but we have not succeeded in finding any trace of our 
fellow travelers, nor, indeed, any signs of inhabitants.” 

" Let us praise God for uniting us once more,” said 
my wife ; "we can still be happy in our own society and 
love. Let us now relieve you of your burdens.” 

Jack immediately took my gun, Ernest the coconuts, 
Frank the spoons and plates, and my wife the game bag. 
Fritz untied the sugar canes from his gun, and asked 
Ernest to carry them while he again placed the little 
monkey on Turk’s back. 

Ernest could not refuse, but he appeared so laden that 
his mother, out of pity, took the nuts. 

"Ah,” said Fritz, "if Ernest only knew what he had 
given up, he would soon ask for them again. They are 
the dear nuts that you are so fond of, Ernest.” 

"Coconuts!” he exclaimed. "Ah, mamma, let me 
have them again. I can carry them, gun and all.” 

"No, no, my child I I shall hear you complaining 
presently how the load fatigues you.” 

" I can throw away these sticks then, and carry the 
gun in my hand.” 


[39] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


" Throw away those sticks ! ” cried Fritz. " Why, they 
are sugar canes ! Come, and I will show you how to get 
at the sugar.” 

” Sugar canes, sugar canes ! ” was the general cry as 
the boys clustered around Fritz. 

And so one thing after another was described and 
explained ; yet after all, nothing gave more complete 
satisfaction than the cups, plates, and spoons made of 
the gourds from the calabash tree. 

When we reached the tent, I found a wonderful repast 
preparing for us at the cooking place. 

Upon a large fire on the stone hearth stood the iron 
pot full of soup. From a piece of wood which rested at 
each end on two other pieces fixed in the ground, hung 
a goose roasting, the fat falling into dried oyster shells 
underneath. 

Several kinds of fish were cooking on the hot stones, 
and best of all, there stood at a little distance one of the 
chests I had saved from the wreck. My wife and the 
boys had contrived to drag it up from the riverside and 
open it, and I could see that it contained a large number 
of Dutch cheeses wrapped in thin sheets of lead. 

” It appears to me, my dear children, that you have 
not been idle during our absence ; yet was it not a pity 
to kill one of our geese } ” 

” Do not be uneasy,” said my wife; ’'that is a wild 
bird that Ernest killed.” 

"I believe it is a penguin, papa,” said Ernest; ”and 
I call it a booby, because it let me kill it so easily with 
a stick.” 


[40] 


THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY 

What sort of feet and beak has this bird ? ” I asked. 

''It has the feet of an aquatic bird,” replied Ernest, 
" for all the four toes are united by a membrane. The 
beak is long, slender, and strong, a little curved at the 
end, and exactly like the description of a penguin’s 
which I read in. my natural history at home.” 

” I do not doubt you are right, my boy, and it proves 
how much may be learned by reading attentively.” 

” Come now,” said his mother, '' do you not observe 
how the eyes of Ernest are fixed on the coconuts ? Let 
him have the pleasure of tasting them.” 

"Willingly,” I replied; "but Fritz must show him 
how to obtain the milk by suction, and the monkey must 
not be forgotten.” 

" But he won’t take anything, papa,” said Jack. " I 
have tried him with all I can think of.” 

"We must try him with the milk of the coconut,” I 
said. "No doubt he will drink that.” 

My wife summoned us to supper, and we seated our- 
selves on the ground, with the spoons, basins, and plates 
made from the calabash tree. I broke the outer covering 
of two coconuts, and everyone quite enjoyed the white 
lining of the inner shell after I had extracted the milk. 

Some of this was saved for the monkey, and the boys, 
after dipping the corners of their handkerchiefs in it, 
were delighted to find that the little creature would suck 
them eagerly. 

I promised to show the boys how to make spoons and 
cups from the coconut shells, and the mother was de- 
lighted to find that she need not again serve the soup in 
[41] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


oyster shells. While we were enjoying the fish, which 
were very good, Fritz asked if his mother would not like 
to taste the coconut champagne. 

" Taste it first yourself, Fritz,” I said. 

Ho ! ” he exclaimed presently, with a wry face, it 
is vinegar ! ” 

''As I expected, my boy; but never mind, vinegar is 
very good with fish ” ; and the rest followed my example 
as I poured some into my gourd basin. 

Then while we ate for dessert cheese, coconuts, and 
sugar-cane juice, each related his exploits and explained 
how the fish, the penguin, the coconuts, the sugar canes, 
and so on, were found. 

By the time we had finished, it was necessary to pre- 
pare our beds for the night. My wife and the boys had 
provided a large quantity of dry moss and grass to spread 
on the floor of our tent, and we expected, in consequence, 
to find our beds softer than on the preceding night. 

The poultry were already gone to roost on the ridge of 
the tent, the geese and ducks had betaken themselves 
to their night quarters, and after offering our evening 
prayer we entered the tent. - The baby ape entered with 
us, and Fritz and Jack took the little motherless creature 
to sleep between them, to protect him from the cold. 

We had not been asleep long when I was aroused by 
the restless movements of the fowls and the barking and 
yelping of the dogs. Seizing my gun, I rushed out 
quickly, followed by my wife and Fritz, who were also 
armed. 

In amazement I perceived, by the light of the moon, 

[42] 


THE HOMEWARD JOURNEY 

that a great battle was going on at a little distance, be- 
tween a number of jackals and our brave dogs. Already 
the dogs had settled three or four of their assailants, and 
those that remained surrounded them, hoping to take 
them at a disadvantage, but the two courageous animals 
kept them at bay. 

Fritz and I fired together and killed two, and the 
others, frightened by the report of the guns, made off. 
Fritz dragged the one he had shot into the tent, to show 
in the morning to his brothers, whom neither the firing 
of the guns nor the barking of the dogs had wakened. 
We lay down once more to sleep and were not disturbed 
again that night. 


[43] 



CHAPTER V 

A SUCCESSFUL VOYAGE 

S O MANY duties pressed upon me that my first 
. thoughts on waking made me anxious. I at once 
' began to consult my wife and to seek her advice. 
What shall I undertake first to-day, dear wife ” I 
said. " A voyage to the ship is absolutely necessary if 
we wish to save the animals from starving ; and there 
are so many things on the wreck that would be useful to 
us. On the other hand, we have much to do here, and 
above all, to construct a new dwelling place.” 

” Do not be uneasy, dear husband,” she replied ; all 
will be accomplished in time. Most certainly a voyage 
to the wreck is first necessary, for should a storm arise, 
everything on board would be lost.” 

It was agreed that the three youngest children should 
remain with my wife, and that Fritz should accompany 
me. 


[44] 


A SUCCESSFUL VOYAGE 

I arose and woke my children for the important duties 
of the day. Fritz jumped up first and ran for his jackal, 
which had stiffened in the cold of the night. He placed 
it on its four legs at the entrance of the tent to surprise 
his brothers ; but no sooner did the dogs see it erect 
than they flew at it, and would have torn it to pieces if 
he had not soothed them and called them off. Their 
barking, however, roused the boys, who rushed out to 
see the cause. Jack issued first, with the monkey on his 
shoulder ; but no sooner did the little creature see the 
jackal than he sprang into the tent and hid himself 
among the moss till only the tip of his nose was visible. 
All were astonished to see this large, yellow animal. 
Frank thought it was a wolf ; Jack said it was only a 
dead dog ; and Ernest, in a pompous tone, pronounced 
.it a golden fox. 

Fritz laughed at the learned professor who knew the 
agouti immediately and now called a jackal a golden fox. 

" Come, boys,” said I, ” no more of this ; you are 
none of you very far wrong, for the jackal partakes of 
the nature of all three — dog, wolf, and fox.” 

My words produced peace, and then eager inquiries 
were made about what had occurred in the night, and 
the boys listened with great interest to our account of the 
battle between the dogs and the jackals. We assembled 
once more for our morning prayer, and asked God to 
guide and protect us during the day. 

At breakfast we were obliged to content ourselves 
with biscuit, which were so hard that our teeth could 
scarcely break them. In this extremity Fritz asked for 

[45] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


cheese and went behind the tent to procure some from 
the cask. Ernest followed, and presently returning with 
a bright face, exclaimed, " O papa, if we could only open 
that other cask ! ” 

" What cask } and why ” 

"Well, there is a large cask just outside, and some 
grease has run through a little crack. I am sure it looks 
exactly like butter.” 

" If what you say is true, my boy,” I exclaimed, "you 
shall have the first slice of bread and butter as a reward 
for your discovery.” 

We all sallied out to examine this wonderful cask, and 
very quickly proved that the boy was right. In a few 
minutes we obtained a coconut cup full of beautiful, salt 
butter. We softened the biscuit easily now, by covering 
them with butter and holding them to the fire ; so that, 
after all, we had a delicious breakfast. During our meal 
the dogs lay quietly by our side and did not seem at all 
anxious for their share of food. I therefore examined 
the poor animals and found that they had been bitten 
and wounded in several places, especially about the neck. 
My wife proposed to rub the places with butter, as a 
salve. I spoke of the salt, but she quickly overcame that 
difficulty by washing the butter ; then, giving it to Jack, 
she desired him to take the dogs under his care and 
carefully anoint their wounds with it. 

The animals commenced licking their wounds, which 
in a few days were completely healed. Ernest remarked 
that they ought to have spiked collars to defend them 
from any wild beasts they might encounter. 

[46] 


A SUCCESSFUL VOYAGE 


” I will make them collars,” said Jack, who never 
hesitated at anything. I was glad to employ his inven- 
tive powers, and requesting my children not to leave 
their mother during our absence, but to pray to God 
to bless our undertaking, we began our preparations for 
the voyage. 

While Fritz made ready the boat, I erected a signal 
post, with a piece of sailcloth for a flag, to float as long 
as all was going on well. But if we were wanted, they 
were to lower the flag and fire a gun three times, when 
we would immediately return ; for I had informed my 
dear wife it might be necessary for us to remain away 
all night, and she consented to the plan on my promis- 
ing to pass the night in our tubs instead of the vessel. 
Relying on the ship’s provisions, we took nothing but our 
guns and ammunition. Fritz, however, took the monkey, 
that he might give it some cow’s milk. 

We took a tender leave of my wife, and embarked. 
When we had rowed into the middle of the bay I per- 
ceived a strong current, formed by the water of the river, 
which I was glad to take advantage of to spare our labor. 
It carried us three parts of our voyage, and we rowed 
the remainder. Entering the opening in the vessel, we 
secured our boat firmly and went on board. 

The first care of Fritz on reaching the deck was to 
feed the animals, which all saluted us after their fashion, 
rejoiced to see their friends again as well as to have 
their wants supplied. We put the young monkey to a 
goat, which, to our infinite amusement, he sucked with 
extraordinary grimaces. After taking some refreshment 

[ 47 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

ourselves, Fritz proposed that we should begin our work 
by adding a sail to our boat. He said the current which 
helped us to the vessel could not carry us back, but the 
wind, which made our rowing so fatiguing, would be of 
great service if we had a sail. 

I determined to take his good advice, and we immedi- 
ately set to the task. A sail yard of which to make a 
mast was quickly found, and another, thinner, by which I 
could regulate the sail. While Fritz bored a hole with 
a chisel in one of the tubs, I went to the sail room and 
cut off a piece of cloth in the form of a triangle, which 
I fitted to the mast with cords, pulleys, and rings so 
that I could raise and lower it at will. Then, with the 
assistance of Fritz, I fixed it in our little boat and 
fastened ropes and cords to draw through the rings at 
the top and sides; and Fritz, when he saw it all com- 
pleted, expressed his delight and declared that our little 
bark was now quite fitted for a long voyage. 

After signaling to our family that we should not re- 
turn that night, we spent the rest of the day in removing 
from our boat the stones and other useless things we had 
thrown in as ballast, replacing them with articles of more 
importance. To obtain these we plundered the ship like 
Vandals, and accumulated a rich booty. 

Foreseeing that we might have to remain a long time 
on our island, we stowed away in our tub boat a large 
supply of powder and shot, to serve us in the chase and 
as a defense against wild beasts. All the tools which 
had been stored in reserve appeared to us of inestima- 
ble value. It was, indeed, difficult to choose among so 
[48] 


A SUCCESSFUL VOYAGE 

many useful articles. However, we supplied ourselves 
with those most required in our present need. Knives, 
forks, spoons, and cooking vessels, and some silver arti- 
cles which we found in the captain’s cabin, with a splen- 
did telescope, several pewter plates and dishes, and a 
case of wine, well filled ; gridirons, a roasting jack, 
saucepans, kettles, and frying pans — all were carried 
to our boat and placed in the tubs. Besides these, we 
provided ourselves with a good supply of eatables — two 
Westphalian hams, and several bags of wheat, barley, 
oats, and other grain. In fact, I was anxious to take 
as much as we could possibly carry, because the ship, 
being so deep in the water, might fall to pieces in the 
first storm. 

Fritz reminded me that our beds in the tent were hard 
and cold at night. We therefore added to our cargo the 
contents of several hammocks, and a few woolen cover- 
lids. Fritz, who seemed to fancy we could never be suffi- 
ciently armed, carried to the boat a gun, a sword, a saber, 
a hunting knife, and a small barrel of powder, while I 
discovered a flask of brimstone and a roll of sailcloth 
which could not be left behind. 

Night came on before we had finished our work. We 
therefore exchanged signals with the dear ones on shore 
to announce security on sea and land, and, after prayers 
for the protection of all, sought our tubs — not the most 
luxurious of dormitories, but safer than the ship. 

As soon as day broke, I went on deck to look through 
the telescope. I saw my wife looking towards us, and 
the flag which denoted their safety floating in the breeze. 

[49] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


Satisfied on this important point, we enjoyed our break- 
fast of biscuit, ham, and wine, and turned our thoughts 
to the means of saving our cattle. Even if we could con- 
trive a raft, we could never get all the animals to stand 
still on it. We might venture the huge sow in the water, 
but the rest of the animals would not be able to swim to 
shore. At last Fritz suggested swimming apparatus, and 
we passed several hours in constructing it. For the cow 
and ass, it was necessary to have an empty cask on each 
side, well bound in strong sailcloth, fastened by leather 
thongs extending around the body of each animal. For 
the rest, we merely tied a piece of cork under their 
bodies — the sow only being unruly and giving us much 
trouble — and fastened a cord to the horns or neck of 
each animal, with a slip of wood at the end for a con- 
venient handle. Luckily the waves had broken away a 
part of the ship and left the opening wide enough for 
the passage of our troop. And now came the difficulty 
of launching our living freight into the sea. 

We led them to the lower part of the ship and made 
the first experiment by giving the donkey a push into the 
water. He fell with great force, but recovering himself 
quickly, began to swim between his two casks with a 
grace and ease that made Fritz clap his hands in delight. 

The cow’s turn came next, and as she was of far more 
value than the ass, I felt very anxious ; but I pushed her 
in gently and with equal success. The two casks sup- 
ported her in the water, and she began swimming with 
the sang-froid which characterizes her species. 

We managed the smaller animals easily, except the 

[so] 


A SUCCESSFUL VOYAGE 

sow, which resisted furiously; and when at last she was 
forced into the water, she swam so quickly away that to 
reach the guiding string would have been impossible ; so 
we were obliged to leave her to her fate. Fortunately 
she reached the shore long before the rest. 

We now embarked, drawing our train after us, and the 
wind, filling our sail, carried us smoothly towards the 
shore. Fritz exulted in his plan, for, loaded as we were, 
we could never have rowed our boat. I took out my tele- 
scope, and was remarking that our party on shore seemed 
making ready for some excursion, when a loud cry from 
Fritz filled me with terror. ''We are lost!” he ex- 
claimed; "we are lost! See what a monstrous fish!” 
Though pale with alarm, the bold boy seized his gun, 
and encouraged by my directions, fired two balls into the 
head of the monster as it was preparing to dart on the 
sheep. It immediately made its escape, leaving a long 
red track to prove that it was severely wounded. 

I again seized the rudder, and as the wind blew favor- 
ably toward the bay, we arrived, after a few turnings and 
windings, at a spot where the animals might be able to 
land. I set them free from the ropes, and they scram- 
bled to the beach. 

There was no sign of my wife or children ; but a few 
moments afterward they appeared, and, with a shout of 
joy, ran toward us. After expressing our thankfulness at 
being once more united, we proceeded to release our 
herd from their swimming belts, which, though so useful 
in the water, were exceedingly inconvenient on shore. 
My wife was astonished at the apparatus. 

[si] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


''How clever you are ! ” said she. 

" I am not the inventor,” I replied ; "the honor be- 
longs to Fritz. He not only thought of this plan for 
bringing off the animals but saved one at least from 
a most fearful death.” Then I told how bravely he had 
encountered the shark. My wife was delighted with her 
son’s success, but declared she should dread our trips 
to the vessel more than ever, knowing that such savage 
fish inhabited the waters. 

Fritz, Ernest, and I began the work of unloading our 
craft ; while Jack, seeing that the poor donkey was still 
encumbered with his swimming belt,' tried to free him 
from it. But the donkey would not stand, and the child’s 
fingers were not strong enough to loosen the cordage ; 
finally he scrambled upon the animal’s back, and urging 
him on with hand and foot, trotted toward us. 

” Come, my boy,” I said, ” no one must be idle here, 
even for a moment ; you will have riding practice enough 
hereafter. Dismount, and come and help us.” 

Jack was soon on his feet. "But I have not been idle 
all day,” he said ; ” look here ! ” and he pointed to a belt 
around his waist. It was a broad belt of yellow hair, in 
which he had stuck a couple of pistols and a knife. 
" And see,” he added, ” what I have made for the dogs ! 
Here, Floss, Turk ! ” The dogs came at his call, and 
I saw that each was supplied with a collar of the same 
skin, in which were fastened nails, which bristled round 
their necks in a most formidable manner. 

"Capital, capital, my boy!” said I; "but where did 
you get your materials ? and who helped you .? ” 

[52] 


A SUCCESSFUL VOYAGE 


''Why,” said Jack, "mamma helped me when there 
was something to sew.” 

" But where did you get the skin and needle and 
thread ” I asked. 

My wife replied that Fritz’s jackal supplied the skin, 
and that the needles and thread came out of her wonder- 
ful bag.” 

Fritz felt rather annoyed at hearing that Jack had cut 
up the jackal’s skin, but he concealed his displeasure as 
well as he could. Suddenly, however, he exclaimed : " Oh, 
what an unpleasant smell ! Where does it come from .? ” 

" Perhaps it is my belt,” said Jack. " It will lose the 
odor when the skin is dry.” 

"Ah, well,” I said, "till it is dry. Jack must place 
himself to leeward.” 

At this the boys laughed, and exclaimed, "To lee- 
ward, Jack ! to leeward ! ” But Jack did not trouble him- 
self about sensitive noses. He strutted up and down, 
quite proud of his girdle, and assumed a martial air 
which was most amusing. 

When the unloading of our boat was accomplished 
we started for our tent, and finding no preparation for 
supper, I said, " Fritz, let us have a Westphalian ham.” 

" Ernest,” said my wife, smiling, " let us see if we 
cannot conjure up some eggs.” 

Fritz got a ham and carried it to his mother trium- 
phantly, while Ernest set before me a dozen white balls 
with parchment-like coverings. 

" Turtles’ eggs ! ” said I. "Well done, Ernest. Where 
did you get them ? ” 


[53] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


''That,” replied my wife, "shall be told when we re- 
late our adventures ; we must see now what they will do 
toward making a supper for you. With these and your 
ham, I do not think we shall starve.” 

Leaving my wife to prepare supper, we returned to 
the shore and brought up what we had left of the cargo, 
collected our herd of animals, and returned to the tent. 

Our repast proved delicious. Fried ham, cheese, bis- 
cuits, and a good omelet formed a splendid feast, and 
there was plenty to spare for the dogs, the sheep and 
goats, the chickens and pigeons, who quickly assembled 
near us to gather up what remained. 

After supper I sent Fritz to the boat for a bottle of 
Canary wine from the case we had found in the captain’s 
cabin ; and then I asked my wife to relate the adven- 
tures and discoveries of herself and the boys during 
the day. 

" I will spare you the history of the first day, which 
was spent in anxiety about you and watching for your 
signals ; but this morning, satisfied that all was going 
well, I sought, but in vain, a shady place to rest. I be- 
lieve this barren shore has not a single tree. Then I 
began to consider the necessity of searching for a more 
comfortable spot for our residence, and determined to set 
out with the children on a journey of discovery across 
the river. The day before. Jack had busied himself in 
skinning the jackal with his knife and cleaning the skin 
as well as he was able. He then procured from the nail 
chest some long, flat-headed nails, inserted them closely 
through the long pieces of skin he had cut for collars, 

[54] 


A SUCCESSFUL VOYAGE 


cut some sailcloth to make a double lining over the heads 
of the nails, and finished by giving me the delicate office 
of sewing them together. 

"Now for our journey. We took our game bags and 
some hunting knives. The boys carried provisions, and 
I had a large flask of water. I took a small hatchet 
and gave Ernest a carbine, which might be loaded with 
bullets, keeping his light gun for myself. Turk went 
before, evidently considering himself our guide ; and with 
some difficulty we crossed the river. 

"As we proceeded I could not help feeling thankful 
that you had so early taught the boys to use firearms, as 
the defense of Frank and myself now depended on two 
boys of ten and twelve years of age. 

" When we reached the hill you described to us, I was 
charmed with the smiling prospect and, for the first time 
since our shipwreck, ventured to hope for better things. 
I perceived a beautiful wood, to which I determined to 
make our way, for a little shade ; and a most painful 
progress it was, through grass that was higher than the 
children’s heads. As we were struggling through it, we 
heard a strange rustling sound, and a bird of prodigious 
size rose and flew away before the boys could get their 
guns ready. They were much mortified, and I recom- 
mended them to have their guns in readiness, for the 
birds would not be likely to wait till they loaded them. 
Frank thought the bird must be an eagle, it was so 
large, but Ernest ridiculed the idea and thought it must 
be of the bustard tribe. Suddenly another bird of the 
same kind, though still larger, sprang up close to our 

[55] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


feet and was soon soaring above our heads. I could not 
help laughing to see the look of confusion with which 
the boys gazed upwards after it. At last Jack took off 
his hat, and making a low bow, said, ' Pray, Mr. Bird, 
be kind enough to pay us another visit; you will find 
us very good children.’ We found the large nest they 
had left. It was rudely formed of dry grass and was 
empty, but some fragments of eggshells were scattered 
near, as if the young had been recently hatched ; we 
therefore concluded that they had escaped among the 
grass. 

” ' Look here, Frank,’ said Ernest, ' these birds cannot 
be eagles, for eagles never build nests on the ground, but 
on high rocks ; besides, their little ones cannot run as 
soon as they are hatched, as chickens can. I noticed, 
too, that they had white breasts, red-tipped wings, and 
feathers round the beak. They must be bustards, for 
that is the description I have read of the bustard.’ 

" * I am glad we did not shoot the birds, after all,’ I 
said ; ' for what would the poor little ones have done 
without their parents } ’ 

"While talking, we reached the grove of trees. A 
flock of unknown birds flew round us gayly and seemed 
to welcome us with their song. The boys followed them 
with their eyes and seemed inclined to point their guns, 
but I prevented them from doing so. 

" ’ You should not destroy God’s creatures,’ I said, 
'except for food — and then not cruelly; besides, it 
would be foolish to waste powder and shot, as well as a 
pity to kill these pretty little songsters.’ 

[56] 


A SUCCESSFUL VOYAGE 

''We found that what we thought a wood was merely 
a group of a dozen trees, but of a height far beyond any 
I had ever seen and apparently belonging rather to the 
air than the earth, the trunks springing from roots which 
formed a series of supporting arches. Jack climbed one 
of the arches and measured the trunk of the tree with 
a piece of packthread ; he found it to be thirty-four feet. 
I made thirty-two steps round the roots. Between the 
roots and the lowest branches it seemed about forty or 
fifty feet. The branches are thick and strong, and the 
leaves are of a moderate size and resemble our walnut 
tree. A thick, short, smooth turf clothed the ground 
beneath and around the detached roots of the trees, and 
everything combined to render this one of the most 
delightful spots the mind could conceive. 

"Here we rested and made our noonday repast ; a 
clear rivulet ran near us and offered its agreeable waters 
for our refreshment. I could not but think that if we 
could contrive a dwelling on the branches of one of these 
trees, we should be in perfect peace and safety. We set 
out on our return, taking the road by the seashore to see 
if the waves had cast up anything from the wreck. We 
found a quantity of timber, chests, and casks — all too 
heavy to bring, but we succeeded in dragging them out 
of the reach of the tide. Our dogs, in the meantime, 
fished for crabs, much to their own satisfaction and to 
mine, as I now saw they would be able to furnish their 
own food. As we rested from our rough labor, I saw 
Floss scratching in the sand and swallowing something 
with great relish. 'They are turtles’ eggs,’ said Ernest. 

[57] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


We drove away the dog and collected about two dozen, 
leaving her the rest as a reward for her discovery. 

While we were depositing our spoil in the game 
bags, we were astonished at sight of a sail. Ernest was 
certain it was you and Fritz, and though Frank feared 
that it might be the savages who visited Robinson 
Crusoe’s island, coming to eat us up, we were soon en- 
abled to calm his fears. We crossed the river by leap- 
ing from stone to stone, and hastening to the landing 
place, arrived to greet you on your happy return.” 

While we sat listening to this recital night came on, 
and we arranged ourselves in our places as usual, but 
with much greater comfort, upon the mattresses and 
under the soft woolen coverlets I had brought from the 
wreck. 


[58] 



BRIDGE-BUILDING 

^EXT morning my wife and I rose early, that 
we might talk over the changes she appeared 
JL so anxious to make. 

''I have been considering your plan,” I said, "and I 
think we ought not to be too hasty in changing our 
abode. We are protected on one side by the sea and 
on the other by the rocks, which would also help us to 
fortify the banks of the stream in case of danger ; and 
most important of all, we are within reach of the ship, 
which is still a mine of wealth to us.” 

"But,” answered my wife, "you do not know how 
unbearable is the noonday heat. During your excursion 
with Fritz, you were sheltered from the greatest heat by 
the cool shade of the trees and were refreshed by deli- 
cious fruits. Our only refuge is the tent, where the heat 
is so suffocating as to make me anxious about the chil- 
dren’s health, and our only refreshment the mussels and 

[ 59 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


oysters which we gather on the shore. As for the safety 
of this retreat — the jackals had not much difficulty in 
finding it, and I do not think lions and tigers would have 
more. The treasures the vessel contains are not to be 
despised, I know ; but I would renounce them gladly to 
be spared the anxiety your sea voyages cause me.” 

” I think we can make a compromise,” I said. ” I will 
consent to change our residence to the wood on condition 
that we retain this settlement as a provision store and as a 
sort of fortress to which we can retire in time of danger. 
If this plan be adopted, our first care must be to throw 
a bridge across the stream, so as to make constant com- 
munication between the two places quite easy.” 

” Do you think so.?” cried my wife. ” The construc- 
tion of a bridge will be long and tedious. Could we not 
load the ass and the cow with our baggage .? ” I assured 
her that she was exaggerating the difficulty of the work 
and the obstacles that stood in our way. ” In that case, 
let us all set to work without further delay,” she said. 
” I am anxious to leave this place as soon as possible.” 

The boys were quickly aroused, and on hearing the 
plan of bridge-building and the idea of removing to the 
pleasant region of the grove, were full of eager delight. 

After our morning prayer we began to think of break- 
fast, and while his mother prepared it Fritz took the 
little monkey to the goat for his morning feast. Jack 
slipped away to the cow and tried to milk her into his 
hat, but as this did not succeed, he laid himself under 
her, and she allowed him to draw from her a draft of 
warm fresh milk, as if he had been a young calf. 

[6o] 


BRIDGE-BUILDING 


At last he paused to take breath and exclaimed, '' Frank, 
come, the milk is beautiful ; will you have some ? ” 

These words attracted our attention, and his brothers 
laughed heartily at his scheme ; but his mother reproved 
him for being greedy and not waiting till the cow was 
milked. She took a vessel and began milking, and as 
Jack saw how cleverly she succeeded, he said : Ah, 
if I had only known how to do it like that! I mean to 
learn, and then I can help mamma.” 

She filled a cup for each and put some into a pan to 
be boiled with biscuit, which made a very palatable dish. 

Meanwhile I prepared our boat for a voyage to the 
ship, being anxious to obtain planks and beams for build- 
ing the bridge. After breakfast I went on board with 
Fritz and Ernest, for, as it was necessary to accomplish 
our task quickly, double help was needed. 

We pushed out to sea.and soon fell in with the current 
of the stream we had already found so useful. As we 
passed an islet at the entrance of the bay, we saw a cloud 
of gulls, albatrosses, and other sea birds, hovering over a 
spot on the shore. Fritz prepared to fire among them, 
but I forbade him. I knew so extraordinary a gathering 
must be caused by something unusual, and I wished to 
find out what it was. I hoisted the sail, and a slight 
breeze soon brought us close to the islet. 

We discovered, lying partly* in the water and partly 
on the sand, the dead body of a monster fish, on which 
the birds were regaling themselves so eagerly that they 
did not notice our approach until we were within gunshot 
of them — and even then only a few took to flight. 

[6i] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


*'Why, Fritz,” cried Ernest, ”this must be the shark 
you settled so bravely yesterday ! ” 

” I believe it is, Ernest.” 

Ernest drew out the ramrod of his gun and struck at 
the birds right and left ; some were so voracious that 
they remained on the prey and were knocked down and 
killed. Fritz cut a few strips from the skin, as Jack had 
done with the jackal’s. Then we returned to the boat 
with our booty. 

On reaching the shore, I saw with joy that a number 
of planks and beams had been loosened from the wreck 
and cast on the sands by the waves, which would save 
me the trouble of seeking them on the vessel. I deter- 
mined to choose those most suitable 'for building our 
bridge, haul them in by means of a boat hook, attach 
them to our little skiff in the form of a float by ropes, 
and put to sea with our floating cargo. 

While steering carefully homewards I advised Fritz to 
nail the strips of the shark’s skin to the mast to dry. 
‘'Unless it is rendered hard by drying,” I said, "we can- 
not make it useful. When the rough points are ground 
off, and the skin smoothed and polished, it forms a 
beautiful material called shagreen.” 

"I thought,” said Ernest, "that shagreen was made 
of ass’s skin.” 

"Yes, Ernest, you are right. In Turkey, Persia, and 
Tartary, shagreen is made from the skins of the wild ass. 
It is harder and thicker than that of the shark, but they 
soften and polish it by processes which give it a beautiful 
surface, and the color is a bright green.” 

[62] 


BRIDGE-BUILDING 


We were now approaching the shore ; I lowered the 
sail, and presently we lay alongside the old spot, having 
returned in less than four hours from the time we started. 
As we were not expected, none of our dear ones were 
there to welcome us. When we shouted, however, they 
came running, Frank with a fishing rod over his shoulder 
and Jack with a number of large lobsters. 

'' It was I, father, it was I who discovered them ! ” 
cried Frank, proudly. 

’Wes,” said Jack; '’but I fished them up. I waded 
up to my knees in the river to catch them. I would have 
caught more if you had not called me away.” 

” We have a great many more than we can use,” said 
I. ” I think it would even be wise to throw the small 
ones back into the sea again to let them grow.” 

’’But,” cried he, "there are millions more. The river 
is swarming with them.” 

"No matter,” I answered; "we must not waste the 
good things God sends us.” 

Turning in the direction of the stream, he asked me 
to come with him, for he thought he had found the most 
suitable place for the erection of the bridge. "I am 
glad,” said I, " that you have for once thrown off your 
carelessness and thought of the good of the colony. I 
am anxious to see if you have made a wise choice ; if 
you have, we will immediately set about bringing up 
the planks, while your mother prepares our repast.” 

While examining the spot, a question suggested itself. 

"Boys,” I said, "suppose our beams should not be 
long enough to reach to the other side, — the eye cannot 

[63] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


measure the distance exactly, and we have no instru- 
ments, — what shall we do ? ” 

'' Mamma has some packthread,” said Ernest ; ” could 
we not tie a stone to one end and throw it across the 
river? We could measure the string when we drew it 
back, and that would give us the exact width across.” 

”An excellent idea, Ernest,” I replied. ”Run, Jack, 
and fetch the packthread.” 

Jack quickly returned, and by the contrivance sug- 
gested by Ernest, we soon discovered that the distance 
from one side of the river to the other was eighteen feet. 

It appeared quite necessary that the beams should have 
three additional feet resting on each bank, and this 
would require the under one at least to measure twenty- 
four feet. Happily we found more than one which, ex- 
ceeding this length, fully answered our expectations. 

There remained now only one difficulty to overcome. 
How could we throw such long and heavy pieces of 
wood across the water ? While considering the subject, 
the dinner hour arrived, and finding that nothing more 
could be done, we returned to the tent. 

Our good housekeeper had prepared for us a dish of 
lobsters, which was very tempting. But before we com- 
menced dinner she produced two immense bags which 
she had made out of a piece of sailcloth and had sewed 
with packthread. 

” I had no needle large enough to hold the thread,” 
said the mother, ” so I contrived to sew with a nail, and 
by patience and perseverance I have finished these travel- 
ing bags. They will hang across the donkey’s back like 
[64] 


B R I D G E-B U I L D I N G 

panniers and contain a great quantity of articles when we 
change our home.” 

I praised my dear wife for her ingenuity, and we all 
seated ourselves to partake of the dinner she had pre- 
pared. 

The meal passed quickly, for we had no time to lose, 
and the boys and I then returned to work. As we ap- 
proached the spot, a plan suggested itself which got us 
out of all our difficulties. 

I fastened one end of a beam to the trunk of a tree, at 
about four or five feet above the ground, and to the other 
attached a long rope into which a stone was tied for 
throwing it across the river. To a tree on the opposite 
bank I adjusted a pulley, over which I threw the rope, 
and returned with the end in my hand. 

To this extreme end I tied the ropes which were still 
round the necks of the cow and the ass ; then, passing 
the beam round to the front of the tree, I led the animals 
away from the water. As they moved slowly forward the 
beam rose gently and then sank gradually, guided by the 
pulley, till the end rested on the opposite bank. 

Fritz and Jack sprang boldly on the beam and danced 
lightly and rapidly across the new bridge. 

Now that the first beam was laid, the difficulties of the 
work were greatly lessened. The second and third and 
fourth soon followed, and the foundation of our bridge 
lay ready before our eyes. 

We then cut planks, about eight or nine feet long, to 
place across the breadth of the bridge ; but I did not nail 
them firmly, as I wished to be able to remove all the 

[65] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


planks quickly in case of danger, to prevent the passage 
of enemies, whether men or wild beasts. 

It now seemed in every point perfect; the supports 
were firm, and the passage across complete. 

The great exertion hac} exhausted our strength, and as 
evening approached we were glad to return to the tent 
and seek refreshment and repose. Once more we knelt 
to offer our evening prayer and to thank God for his 
merciful care of us during the day. 


[ 66 ] 



CHAPTER VII 

THE JOURNEY TO THE WONDERFUL TREES 

i^OU must remember,” I said the next morning, 
1 1 ”that we are now going into an unknown region, 
J_L and one less protected by nature than this. We 
know not what kind of animals we may encounter. It is 
therefore necessary to be on our guard and keep together 
in case of danger or attack.” 

We knelt, offered our morning prayer, and proceeded 
to breakfast, which was no sooner finished than I com- 
menced preparations for our journey. 

Our first act was to load the ass and the cow with the 
traveling bags containing our provisions, tools, cooking 
utensils, and other useful things. 

All was ready, when my wife came in haste with her 
magic bag, requesting a place for it. Nor would she con- 
sent to leave the poultry as food for the jackals ; above 
all, Frank must have a place, he could not possibly walk 

[67] 



THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


all the way. I consented to all and made a good place 
for Frank between the bags on the back of the ass. 

The children ran for the cocks and hens but with no 
success whatever until the mother, scattering some hand- 
fuls of grain within the open tent, decoyed the fowls and 
pigeons into the inclosure, where, when the curtain was 
dropped, they were easily caught. 

All the things that we left behind that might suffer 
from exposure were laid up in the tent, which was well 
barricaded with stakes and boxes, both full and empty. 
We were all well armed, and each carried a bag for provi- 
sion and ammunition. Everyone seemed in good spirits. 
Fritz marched at the head of our procession with his 
mother, followed by the cow and the ass and his cavalier, 
little Frank. The goats, led by Jack, formed the third 
detachment, with the little monkey on the back of his 
foster mother. Ernest followed with the sheep, and I 
walked last as the rear guard. The dogs rushed here 
and there as our adjutants. 

As the procession moved on slowly, Ernest remarked : 

Papa, I think this is a delightful way of traveling. Are 
there not people who always travel from place to place 
in this manner ? ” 

"'Yes,” I replied ; " even now the people of Tartary 
and Arabia, and other nomadic races, follow this sort of 
life. The patriarchs of whom we read in the Bible wan- 
dered from place to place after this fashion. But for my 
part, I shall be glad when our wanderings are over.” 

Thus conversing, we arrived at the bridge, and at this 
point the sow joined our procession. We had found it 
[ 68 ] 


JOURNEY TO THE WONDERFUL TREES 


impossible to make her follow the other animals, but 
when she discovered that we had really left her she 
hastened to overtake us, and we crossed the bridge with- 
out accident, the sow grunting her disapproval of the 
whole affair. 

On the opposite shore the grass looked so fresh and 
tempting that our troop scattered themselves right and 
left to feast upon it. We should have been unable to 
place them again in rank and file but for the help of 
our dogs, which, barking and chasing, brought them 
again into order. 

To avoid a second interruption I told our leader to turn 
to the left, through a part of the country overgrown with 
tall rank grass, not in the least tempting to the animals. 

We had scarcely started when the dogs suddenly dis- 
appeared in the thick grass, and presently their furious 
barking became mixed with howls of pain, as if they 
were struggling with some wild beast. 

Fritz hastily advanced to the spot with his gun raised 
and his finger on the trigger ; Jack followed fearlessly, 
carrying his pocket pistol in his hand ; while Ernest, who 
was nervous and timid, ran behind his mother, yet making 
ready to fire in case of danger. For my own part, I fol- 
lowed the boys anxiously, with my gun in readiness. The 
boys reached the spot before me, and the next moment 
Jack cried out: ''Papa, come, quick ! It is a porcupine! ” 

I saw, as I hastily approached, that he was right, and 
that the dogs were wounded by the sharp points which 
protruded from its skin. 

Jack, without thought of consequences, drew his pistol 

[69] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


from his belt and shot it dead, making sure of it by a 
couple of hearty raps on the head ; then, giving way to 
a burst of boyish exultation, he called upon us to help to 
convey his prize to his mother. This it was not by any 
means easy to do. Sundry attempts resulted in bloody 
fingers, till Jack, taking his pocket handkerchief and 
fastening one corner round its neck, ran off, dragging it 
after him, to where his mother awaited us. 

"Look, mamma!” he cried. "Isn’t this a beautiful 
prize } I killed it myself with my pocket pistol, and it 
will be useful, for papa says the flesh is good to eat.” 

She congratulated him on his courage and skill. 
Ernest examined the animal in his usual cool manner, 
observing that it had in each jaw two long incisors, like 
those of the hare and squirrel, and that its ears were 
short and rounded, like a man’s. My wife and I began 
pulling out the bristles from the muzzles of our dogs. 

"Jack,” said I, "were you not afraid that the porcu- 
pine would send its quills into your body .? It is said 
the animal has that power.” 

" I never thought of it,” he replied, "but I think that 
statement must be a myth.” 

"You see, however,” said I, "that the dogs have not 
been spared.” 

"It is true,” he answered, " but they threw themselves 
on the animal. If they had kept at a distance, they would 
not have been hurt.” 

"You are right, my son,” I said. " The porcupine has 
not the power of shooting out its quills ; his losing some 
in a fight has probably given rise to the story.” 

[ 7 °] 


JOURNEY TO THE WONDERFUL TREES 

''We must take it with us, papa ! ” cried Jack. "It is 
good to eat ; please let us take it.” 

I wrapped it in grass, stroked back the quills, tied it 
up in some of our bedclothes folded three times double, 
and fastened the bundle across the back of the ass, be- 
hind Frank. 

We had scarcely advanced a hundred steps, however, 
before the ass began to bray, and presently to leap and 
bound in the most comical manner, till he ended at last 
by dragging away the bridle by which my wife led him 
and starting off at full gallop. The dogs started after 
him at once and brought him to a standstill before we 
could reach them. 

" Oh, what a splendid gallop ! ” exclaimed Frank, as 
we arrived at the spot. 

"Yes, my child,” I replied, "but we ought to thank 
God that you did not fall off and break your limbs. 
What could have induced this quiet, patient animal to 
run away ? ” 

On examination I discovered that the pointed quills of 
the porcupine had penetrated to the skin of the poor ani- 
mal. No wonder he leaped at such sharp provocation. 
The evil was soon removed, and we resumed our journey. 

" Oh, what magnificent trees ! ” exclaimed Ernest. 
" Look at their height ! ” 

" Indeed they are magnificent ! ” I cried. " I own, 
dear wife, that this is a wonderful place. If we can estab- 
lish ourselves upon these trees, we may feel secure, for 
I defy even a bear to climb trees so high, especially with 
trunks possessing such a smooth bark.” 

[71 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


We released the animals from their load and set them 
free to feed with the sheep and goats. Their forelegs 
were tied together loosely, that they might not wander far. 
The sow we left to do as she pleased. And the fowls and 
pigeons, to their great relief, were at once set at liberty. 

We seated ourselves on the soft green turf to consult 
upon our future dwelling place. First of all it was neces- 
sary to prepare a lodging, not only as a protection from 
the cold night air but as a security from the attacks of 
wild beasts, to which we should be exposed if we re- 
mained on the ground. By some means this lodging 
must be made on the branches of the trees. 

Fritz had wandered out of sight, and suddenly we 
heard the report of a gun just behind us ; a second shot 
followed, and in a few moments he appeared, carrying by 
its hind legs an enormous tiger cat. 

” Bravo ! ” I cried, " you have rendered good service 
to our fowls and pigeons ; your friend there would have 
made sad havoc in our farmyard.” 

” I wonder why God created such animals } ” said 
Ernest. 

"It is often difficult for us to understand why God has 
created this or that, but we know there must be excellent 
reasons for all he does, although we are unable to explain 
or understand these reasons to our own satisfaction. You 
are acquainted with one thing useful, even in the tiger 
cat, Ernest, and that is the skin ; and you know also how 
many beautiful and warm furs are obtained for winter 
clothing from the bear, the wildcat, the ermine, the Sibe- 
rian squirrel, and many other animals which inhabit cold 
[72] 



THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

regions in the north. But, Fritz, tell me how you man- 
aged to kill this beast of prey and where you found him.” 

” I saw a movement among the foliage of a tree. I 
went quietly and stood at the foot, and there on a branch 
I saw this monster. The first shot brought him to my 
feet, but he was not dead, and, as he tried to rise, I fired 
a second time, and he moved no more.” 

"You may think yourself fortunate,” I said, " that the 
creature did not fly at you after the first shot. I think 
the one you have just killed is a species very common at 
the Cape of Good Hope and in South America^ and so 
voracious that even our sheep and goats would not be 
safe against such a formidable enemy.” 

" Can we not make use of this beautiful skin ? ” 

" Indeed you can,” I replied. " From the legs you can 
make cases for knives, forks, and spoons, and of the tail 
a hunting belt to carry your pistols.” 

"But,” said Jack, "what is the use of the porcupine’s 
skin ” 

" The quills,” I replied, " form excellent packing 
needles and arrowheads. We can also make another 
collar for each of our dogs ; indeed we might easily pro- 
vide them with coats of mail. The sharp points of the 
quills would keep their enemies at a distance.” 

"That would be fun,” cried Jack, "to see our brave 
dogs dressed up in such a fashion.” And after this the 
young people gave me no rest till I had shown them how 
to remove the skin from the wildcat and the porcupine. 

Meanwhile Ernest and little Frank were busily em- 
ployed — one in gathering stones to make a cooking 

[ 74 ] 


JOURNEY TO THE WONDERFUL TREES 


place, and the other in collecting dry branches of trees 
for a fire. 

Presently little Frank appeared with his arms full of 
dry wood and something in his mouth which he was 
eating with a great relish. 

" I ’ve found something so nice ! ” he cried ; "oh, so 
nice ! " 

" My child, what are you eating > ” cried his mother. 
" It may be poisonous.” 

Frank, in a fright, allowed his mother to take from his 
mouth what appeared to be the remains of a small fig. 

" Where did you get this ? ” she asked. 

"Yonder, in the grass,” replied Frank; "there are 
thousands of them. The fowls and the pigeons are eat- 
ing such a lot ! and the one I tasted was so nice that I 
thought it would n’t do me any harm.” 

" Do not be alarmed, ” I said to my wife as she looked 
at me inquiringly. " These trees are a species of man- 
grove and bear a kind of fig which I believe is whole- 
some ; as a rule, however, we may consider safe any kind 
of vegetable or fruit eaten by birds or monkeys. But, 
Frank,” I continued, "you must never eat the fruit you 
find, or even taste it, till you have shown it to me.” 

Frank heard my statement about the monkeys and ran 
off to present a fig to Master Nip, who seized it hastily 
and began eating it with the most comical expressions 
of delight. 

I divided the porcupine into halves — one to be eaten 
fresh, the other salted. The flesh of the tiger cat we 
gave to the dogs. Until dinner was ready I employed 

[ 75 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


myself in forming needles of the porcupine’s quills. To 
produce the eyes, I made a nail red hot and pierced it 
through the thickest end of each quill. In a very little 
time I had manufactured a packet of needles, which 
gave my wife a very pleasant surprise. 

Still occupied with the idea of our castle in the air, I 
thought of making a ladder of ropes ; but this would be 
useless if we did not succeed in getting a cord over the 
lower branches to draw it up, and neither my sons nor 
myself could throw a stone, to which I had fastened a 
cord, over these branches, which seemed thirty feet above 
us. It was necessary to think of some other expedient. 
In the meantime, dinner was ready. 

We truly enjoyed the excellent soup and the flesh of 
the porcupine my wife had boiled for us, with biscuit as 
a substitute for bread. 


[76] 



A NIGHT’S LODGING 


W HEN dinner was over I prepared our night 
quarters. I first slung our hammocks from the 
roots of the tree, which, meeting above us, 
formed an arched roof ; then covering the whole with 
sailcloth, we made a temporary tent which would at 
least keep off the night damps and noxious insects. 

Leaving my wife engaged in making a set of harness 
for the ass and cow, whose strength I intended to employ 
the following day in drawing the beams up to our tree, I 
walked down with Fritz and Ernest to the beach, to look 
for wood suitable for building our new abode and also 
some light rods to form a ladder. For some time we 
hunted in vain, finding nothing but rough driftwood, 
utterly unfit for our purpose. Ernest at length pointed 
out a quantity of bamboos, half buried in the sand. 
These were exactly what I wanted, and stripping them of 
their leaves, I cut them into lengths of about five feet 

[ 77 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

each ; these I bound in bundles to carry to the tree and 
then began to look about for some slight reeds to serve 
as arrows. 

I presently saw what I required in a copse at a little 
distance. As we approached the marsh, Floss suddenly 
started forward, barking furiously amid the reeds. The 
next moment a flock of superb flamingos which she had 
put to flight, with rushing wings rose in the air above our 
heads. Fritz, always alert and on his guard, instantly 
raised his gun and fired, bringing down two of the hind- 
most. One of them fell dead at a little distance, but the 
other, which was only slightly wounded in the wing, rose 
quickly and used his long legs, as if he were on stilts, 
with the greatest swiftness. 

Fritz started forward to secure the dead bird and at 
once sank up to his knees in the marshy ground. I fol- 
lowed the wounded bird as quickly as possible, yet should 
have failed to overtake it had not Floss rushed forward, 
and seizing it by the wing, held it firmly till I came up. 

The flamingo fought bravely for his life, beating me 
with his wings with great force ; and it was only after a 
struggle that I succeeded in mastering him. 

" O papa ! ” exclaimed Ernest, " I hope we shall be 
able to make him tame.” 

Fritz was examining the dead flamingo, and presently 
he said, " Papa, the flamingo is web-footed, like the 
goose, and yet he has long legs and can run like the 
stork ; is not this unusual ? ” 

"No, my boy ; there are many birds which possess the 
swimming feet and yet have long legs.” 

[78] 


A NIGHT’S LODGING 


” Have all flamingos beautifully colored plumage like 
this ? ” he asked again. " I fancied, as the birds flew, 
that some of them had not purple and rose-colored 
wings.” 

''Probably not,” I replied, "for I believe the young 
flamingos are of a grayish white. It is only when full 
grown that their feathers assume such brilliant colors.” 

While gathering the reeds, I remembered that the 
larger ones might prove useful in another way. I there- 
fore cut a few of the longest I could find, saying, "We 
shall be able to measure the height of the tree with 
these, my boys.” 

"Why, papa,” said Ernest, "if you were to tie ten or 
a dozen one upon the other, they would not reach the 
lowest branch.” 

" Have patience,” I said with a smile ; "you will learn 
what I mean to do.” 

Presently we arrived at our resting place, laden with 
the canes and our booty, and ^ were received by Jack 
and Frank with outcries of delight, especially when they 
espied the living flamingo. " I fear,” said the mother, 
" that with so many living animals we shall find our 
supply of food quickly disappearing.” 

"The flamingo,” I replied, "will not eat grain, like 
our poultry, but will be quite satisfied with insects, fish, 
and little crabs, which he will pick up for himself.” 

By this time the boys were trying to measure the 
height of the tree by tying two of the longest pieces of 
cane together, but they hardly reached the highest point 
of the arched roots. They watched me with amusement 

[79] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


and surprise as I placed tall reeds in the ground at equal 
distances from each other, and tied strings here and there 
till I formed angles, right angles, and at last right-angled 
triangles. 

Fritz looked on with deep interest. I knew he had 
sufficient knowledge of trigonometry to comprehend what 
I was about. When my arrangements were completed I 
said, " Well, Fritz, can you tell me now the height of 
this tree ? ” 

He looked thoughtful for a few moments and then 
said, " I believe the height of this tree to the first 
branch is three times the length of the middle string 
which is fastened to the trunk.” 

'' Quite right,” I replied. ” Now, Ernest, measure the 
middle string with my foot rule and tell me the height 
to the branch.” 

Nearly forty feet, papa ; three times thirteen are 
thirty-nine.” 

” Well,” exclaimed Ernest, "that is wonderful! What 
a good thing it is that you know it all, papa I ” 

" I learned it in my young days, Ernest. Youth is the 
time to learn, my boys ; it is too late after the cares of 
the world fall on our shoulders.” 

"But, papa,” said Ernest, "this does not help us to 
climb the tree.” 

" Perhaps not yet ; but it decides that we shall want 
eighty feet of rope for the two sides of our ladder.” 

I asked my wife to supply me with a ball of thick, 
strong thread. The enchanted bag did not fail us ; the 
very ball I wanted appeared at her summons. 

[So] 


A NIGHT’S LODGING 

I tied the end of the ball to one of my arrows, fixed it 
in my bow, and sent it directly over one of the thickest 
of the lower branches of the tree, and, falling to the 
ground, it drew the thread after it. To this I fastened 
a rope and drew it over the branch. Charmed with this 
result, I hastened to complete my ladder. Fritz had 
measured our ropes and found two of fifty feet each — 
exactly what I wanted. I stretched them on the ground 
about one foot apart, and Fritz cut pieces of cane two 
feet long, which Ernest passed to me. These I placed in 
knots which I had made in the ropes at equal distances 
apart, and Jack fastened each end with a long nail to 
prevent its slipping. In a short time our ladder was com- 
pleted, and tying it to the end of the rope which went 
over the branch, we drew it up without difficulty. All the 
boys were anxious to ascend, but I chose Jack, as the 
lightest and most active. His brothers and myself held 
the ladder firm by the end of the cord. Fritz followed, 
carrying a bag with nails and hammer. They were soon 
perched on the branches, huzzaing to us. Fritz secured 
the ladder so firmly to the branch that I myself had 
no hesitation in ascending. I carried with me a large 
pulley fixed to the end of a rope and attached it to a 
branch above us, to enable us to raise the planks neces- 
sary to form the groundwork of our habitation ; then I 
descended the ladder, satisfied with my success and full 
of confidence in the future. 

Presently I missed Fritz and Jack and began to feel 
anxious. But at that moment there fell upon my ear 
from the topmost branches of the tree the harmonious 

[8i] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


tones of two young voices singing the Evening Hymn, 
and when the song ceased I called to them to come down 
to help me collect the animals and gather wood for a fire 
to protect us from wild beasts during the night. 

By the time all this was finished my wife announced 
that supper was ready, and we ran hastily to partake of 
it, for we were almost starving. The boys brought in a 
supply of figs, which they had picked up during the day, 
and these formed an excellent dessert. 

We had, however, scarcely finished supper before one 
after another began to yawn ; and at last, after a short 
prayer, I sent my wife and the children to their ham- 
mocks, which hung from the arched roots. 

Then I lighted the wood which lay around us and pre- 
pared to watch the fire all night. Presently from the ham- 
mocks came sounds of murmuring and woe. I inquired 
the cause and was told that to lie in a hammock was like 
being in a sack — they could move neither hand nor foot 
and it was dreadful. I instructed them to lie as the sailors 
do, diagonally, and told them that brave Swiss boys might 
sleep as the sailors of all nations were compelled to sleep. 
After some stifled sighs and groans, all sank to rest 
except myself, who was kept awake by anxiety for our 
safety. But gradually I was overcome by fatigue, and 
towards morning fell asleep, only awaking when all the 
family were astir. 


[82] 



CHAPTER IX 

A CASTLE IN THE AIR 


After breakfast my wife told Jack, Ernest, and 
Frank to put the harness she had made on the 
^ ^ cow and ass and prepare to accompany her to 

the shore, to bring the wood necessary for our house. 

I hesitated at first to allow her to undertake such heavy 
work, but, as she said truly, it would save time, and with 
the help of the ass and the assistance of the three boys 
there would be no difficulty. 

As soon as they had started, Fritz and I ascended the 
tree, and found that the center of the trunk from which 
the curving branches sprang was in every way suitable 
for our purpose. These branches, before they bent down- 
wards, were strong, thick, and close together, and almost 
horizontal for a considerable length ; I decided, therefore, 
to use them as beams for a flooring. 

[83] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


On the upper branches, at about five or six feet above 
us, I .determined to hang our hammocks, and over those, 
a little higher up, to stretch a large piece of sailcloth as 
a ceiling and roof for our aerial castle. 

The space between the sailcloth and the floor I cleared 
by cutting away branches that grew across it, and by the 
time my wife and the boys returned with their first load 
everything was in readiness. By means of the pulley and 
rope we were able to draw up, piece by piece, the wood 
suitable for our flooring. 

To make it secure I laid double planks, and when 
this was completed Fritz and I erected, with pieces of 
wood about three feet long, a handrail around it, forming 
an inclosure which already appeared like a room, though 
as yet without walls or ceiling except those formed by the 
foliage of the tree. The whole morning was occupied in 
this work, ‘my wife and the boys having in the meantime 
brought up three loads of planks and beams from the 
beach. No one had even thought of dinner, so we ate 
the remains of last night’s supper. 

After our repast we returned to our work in the tree, 
and slinging up the hammocks on the branches, prepared 
to raise the sailcloth over all as a ceiling. This was a far 
more difficult task and but for the help of the pulley 
would never have been accomplished. 

At length, to our great joy, we succeeded, and managed 
to draw it over the upper branches. By fastening the 
corners to our handrail on three sides, we were able to 
leave the fourth side uncovered as a means of entrance 
and light; this completed our wonderful resting place. 
[84] 


A CASTLE IN THE AIR 


When Fritz and I at last desisted from our work and 
descended the rope ladder, we found several small planks 
which I thought would be suitable for a table and two 
benches. I succeeded in nailing the planks to the high- 
est parts of the roots for a table and to the lower curves 
for benches. 

After our supper the boys lighted a fire as a protection 
from wild animals during the night. My three eldest sons 
ran up the ladder easily and quickly ; my wife followed 
with more deliberation, but arrived safe ; my own journey 
was somewhat difficult, as, besides having Frank on my 
back, I had detached the lower part of the ladder from 
the roots where it was nailed, in order to be able to draw 
it up during the night. We were thus as safe in our 
castle as the knights of old when their drawbridge was 
raised. We retired to our hammocks free from care and 
did not wake till the sun shone brightly in upon us. 

The next day was Sunday, and at dinner I proposed 
that we should give names to all the parts of our island 
known to us, in order that, by a pleasing delusion, we 
might fancy ourselves in an inhabited country. My pro- 
posal was well received, and then began the discussion of 
names. Fritz, beginning with the bay where we landed, 
suggested that it be named The Bay of Oysters,” since 
there we had found so many oysters. 

” Oh, no ! ” said Jack, ” let it be ' Lobster Bay,’ for 
one of them caught me by the leg.” 

"Then we ought to call it the 'Bay of Tears,’” 
said Ernest, "to commemorate those you shed on the 
occasion.” 


[8s] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


” In gratitude to God, should we not name it ' Deliv- 
erance Bay ’ ? ” said my wife. 

We were all pleased with this name and proceeded to 
give the name of "Tent House " to our first abode ; "Shark 
Island " to the little island in the bay where we had found 
that animal ; and at Jack’s desire the spot where we 
had cut our arrows was named " Flamingo Marsh." The 
height from which we had vainly sought traces of our 
shipmates received the name of " Cape of False Hope.” 
The stream was to be "Jackal River." The most difficult 
point was to name our present abode. At last we agreed 
on the name of " Falcon’s Nest." 


[ 86 ] 



CHAPTER X 


THE VISIT TO TENT HOUSE 


EFORE dinner Jack had obtained my permission 



to try his skill with my large bow and arrow, and 


Frank had requested my assistance in making him 
a small one, I having forbidden them to use firearms 
on Sunday. After the meal was over, we each turned to 
different occupations, Ernest and Frank to their bows 
and arrows, while Fritz proceeded to finish a skin case, 
and Jack came to ask my assistance in making a coat 
of mail for Turk out of the skin of the porcupine. 

I first showed him how to clean it with sand and ashes, 
then assisted him in cutting out and forming bands of 
the prickly skin. The inner side, while only half dry, 
was placed on the back of Turk and fastened round his 
body. Thus attired he presented a most remarkable 
appearance, and in such armor it seemed as if not even 
a hyena would be able to overpower him. 


[87] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

Floss greatly disapproved of Turk’s attire ; for if he 
approached her or attempted any playfulness, the points 
of the quills pricked her so sharply that she howled with 
pain. I therefore removed the coat of mail from Turk’s 
back until another could be made for his comrade, and 
desired the boys to put them on only at night or when any 
danger of attacks from wild beasts rendered it necessary. 

Jack decided to make a cap for himself out of the por- 
cupine’s skin, so he stretched the remainder over the 
roots of the tree to dry. 

As the afternoon passed, the heat became less oppres- 
sive, and we prepared to set out to walk to Tent House 
to renew our stock of provisions and endeavor to bring 
the geese and ducks to our new residence. But instead 
of going by the coast, we proceeded up the river till we 
reached the chain of rocks and continued under their 
shade till we reached the cascade, where we could cross 
and return by the bridge. 

Our walk by the brook proved most unusually agreeable. 
During the whole route we enjoyed the pleasant shade 
from large trees in full foliage or from the ridge of rocks 
which extended for a long distance between the beach 
and the stream. The soft grass under our feet formed 
a far more pleasant path than the pebbles and sand of 
the shore. Altogether the place was so attractive that my 
wife and I did not hurry ourselves but sauntered along at 
our ease, while the boys rambled hither and thither in 
search of new wonders. As we came to the end of the 
wood and I was about to collect my young people before 
continuing our way, I saw them approaching at full gallop ; 

[ 88 ] 


THE VISIT TO TENT HOUSE 


and this time the deliberate Ernest arrived first, but gasp- 
ing for breath and unable to utter a word respecting the 
green roots which he held before my eyes. 

” Papa ! ” he cried at last ; '' Look ! potatoes, potatoes ! ” 
What ! ” I exclaimed ; '' that news is too good to be 
true.” 

• ” I know they are potatoes, papa,” said Fritz confi- 
dently. ” Ernest has been very lucky to discover such a 
valuable plant.” 

” I am still afraid,” said his mother, ” there may be 
other plants in this country with bulbous roots resem- 
bling potatoes. We are so ready to believe what we 
earnestly wish for.” 

” Let us go to the spot,” I said, and with eager haste 
the boys led us to the place. A few moments served to 
convince me of the joyful fact that a little forest of 
potato plants in full flower lay at our feet ; and humble 
as the flowers might be, they were of far more value to 
us than all the roses of Persia. 

” Oh,” cried Jack, ” I knew they were potatoes ! 
What a treat ! ” 

As he spoke, he began to dig the roots up with his 
hands. Master Monkey instantly followed his example, 
but he dug more quickly and cleverly than Jack, for he 
picked out the ripest ; and in a very short time quite a 
large heap of potatoes had been gathered, and our sack 
and game bag were as full as possible of the valuable 
vegetable. 

Ernest proposed that we should at once return to Fal- 
con’s Nest, for two reasons : first, because the potatoes 

[89] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

were a heavy load ; and second, that we might cook 
them for supper and have a feast. But I reminded him 
that there existed still stronger reasons why we should 
go on, and we continued our walk pleasantly and in good 
spirits, in spite of the heavy load. 

To reach Jackal River we had to struggle through 
the high grass, with the chain of rocks on our right ; 
and as we emerged from it a beautiful prospect lay 
before us, very different from anything we had hitherto 
seen. The face of the shelving rocky wall presented a 
sight of wonderful magnificence, resembling greatly a 
European conservatory. 

There were tropical plants of all descriptions : prickly 
shrubs, and flowers of every hue, which could only be 
reared in hothouses at home — the Indian fig ; the aloe, 
crested with white blossoms ; the tall, stately cactus, with 
its prickly leaf and amber flowers ; creeping plants, wind- 
ing their tendrils over every stem and spreading perfume 
around us from their many-colored blossoms. 

But above all we were delighted to find many fruits, 
and among others, to our great joy, the royal anana — 
the pineapple — " the king of fruits.” 

I found it necessary to warn the boys that by eating 
too many they would make themselves ill, and their 
pleasure would be changed to pain. 

I presently discovered among the various prickly- 
leaved plants a karatas, a kind of aloe, partly in bloom 
but chiefly covered with young shoots. This plant was 
to me a welcome sight. 

" See, boys ! ” I called out ; ” this is a more valuable 

[ 9 °] 


THE VISIT TO TENT HOUSE 

discovery than the ananas. The underfoliage of this 
plant resembles the anana, but the stem is far more ele- 
gant. Observe how slender and upright it grows, and 
what a beautiful blossom ! ” 

" Oh ! ” exclaimed Ernest, all that is nothing if there 
is no fruit. The pineapples are far more valuable, papa. 
We will give up willingly all these flowers and leaves to 
you if we may keep the ananas.” And I could see by 
their looks that all the rest agreed with him. 

”You are like the rest of the world,” I said with a 
laugh, "you give up a true and lasting advantage for 
the sake of a passing enjoyment. However we will talk 
about this by and by ; now I want a light. Will you 
strike one for me, Ernest ? the flint and steel are here.” 

" But, papa, there is no tinder here, nor a match,” 
said Jack ; "we can’t get a light.” 

"Of course not,” I said ; " but tell me, Ernest, sup- 
posing we had no tinder and our supply was all used 
up, how should we obtain a light ? ” 

"We should be obliged to imitate the savages and 
rub two pieces of wood together till they caught Are.” 

"A difficult performance,” I replied, '-especially for 
those who are not accustomed to it. I have no doubt 
that after rubbing the wood together for a whole day 
you would not succeed in getting a light.” 

" I suppose, then, we should have to wait patiently till 
we found a more suitable tree, with the wood already 
prepared.” 

"Not even then,” I said. "We burn linen now in a 
tinder box, but we cannot continue to do so here, for 

[91] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


linen is useful for better purposes, and we have not more 
than we need. Would it not be well for us to find our 
tinder ready prepared and growing ? ” 

With these words I broke off a thin branch of the 
karata tree, peeled off the outer bark, and took out the 
pith ; then, laying a piece on the flint, I struck it with 
the steel, and in a moment the new-fashioned tinder 
was in a flame. 

The boys looked on astonished for a few moments, 
then cried out joyfully : Oh, how wonderful ! Long 
live the tinder tree ! ” 

''That is not the only use of this tree,” I said. "I 
am glad to be able to inform your mother that when 
she wishes to mend our clothes I can supply her with 
thread.” 

"Ah! indeed that will be a treasure,” said my wife. 
" It has troubled me greatly to have only packthread to 
sew with.” 

" Your trouble will be over now,” I said. 

With this I split a leaf and drew out a quantity of 
very strong yet beautifully fine thread, certainly not 
longer than the leaf, yet still long enough to form a 
needleful. 

"You see, children,” I remarked to the boys, "it is 
not safe to judge by appearances. The karata which you 
despised proves far more useful than the dainty ananas, 
which only tickle the palate.” 

"Yes,” cried Ernest, "I’ll own that now. But what 
is the use of all the other prickly plants that grow here 
in such abundance .? ” 


[92] 


THE VISIT TO TENT HOUSE 


"They are useful in some way, no doubt,” I replied, 
"although we may not understand how. That plantain 
is a most valuable tree,” I continued, pointing to it as 
I spoke ; "it flourishes best on dry, barren soil and 
produces the largest and most juicy leaves. It appears 
to derive its nourishment more from the air than the 
earth, and bears a species of fig, which in climates like 
this is wholesome and very refreshing.” 

In a moment my active little Jack was climbing the 
rocks to gather some of these figs, but he had not re- 
marked that they were covered with thousands of slender 
thorns, finer than the finest needles, which terribly 
wounded his fingers. He returned, weeping bitterly. 
Having rallied him a little for his greed, I extracted the 
thorns and showed him how to open the fruit by first 
cutting off the pointed end as it lay on the ground ; into 
this I fixed a piece of stick and then pared it with my 
knife. The novelty of the expedient recommended it, 
and they were soon all engaged in eating the fruit, 
which they pronounced very good. 

In the meantime I saw Jack examining one of the 
figs very attentively. " O papa,” said he, " what a singu- 
lar sight! The fig is covered with small red insects.” 

" Ah, another discovery I ” I exclaimed. " Let me 
look at them. Why, they are cochineal ! ” 

" But what are cochineal } ” asked Jack. 

" Insects that live on the leaf of this plant, which 
contains red sap, or on the blood-red berries, from which 
they obtain that bright-red color. They are collected in 
America, where people shake them from the trees into 

[93] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


a cloth. When they are dried and packed together, they 
form a very important part of the color trade, as from 
these insects is produced the richest and most beautiful 
scarlet.” 

” Well,” said Fritz, ” that fig tree is a wonderful plant.” 

” I can tell you of a third advantage belonging to our 
fig tree,” I said. "Its branches form a thick shelter and 
defense against wild beasts and even serve as a protec- 
tion from the attacks of men ; for although the enemy 
might be able to cut down this fence, yet the perform- 
ance would take a long time and give an opportunity 
to escape.” 

While thus talking, we reached the shallow part of 
Jackal River, and stepping cautiously over the pebbles, 
soon arrived at our tent. 

Fritz ran to obtain a supply of powder and shot, my 
wife and little Frank hastened to fill the jar with butter 
from the cask, while Ernest and Jack repaired to the 
pond and tried to catch the ducks and geese. But the 
creatures had been living alone and were quite wild. 
The boys found at last that to catch them they must 
use stratagem. 

Ernest had in his pocket a piece of cheese, which he 
broke into small portions, and tying them at the end of 
long threads, threw them into the water as bait. In a 
few minutes the geese and ducks were drawn to the 
shore and fastened in pairs on our shoulders outside the 
game bags, where they traveled very comfortably. 

The bag destined for the salt was full of potatoes, but 
we managed to fill up the spaces between them with salt 

[94] 


THE VISIT TO TENT HOUSE 

and hoped to make that quantity last till we could again 
visit the tent. I was obliged to remove Turk’s coat of 
mail and fasten on his strong back the heavy sack of 
potatoes and salt. 

As we took the road to Falcon’s Nest, our little caravan 
presented a droll appearance ; the stretched-out necks of 
the ducks and geese on our shoulders, who kept up a 
continual gabbling, adding to the ridiculous spectacle. 

The gayety and gladness of our hearts made us forget 
the weight of our burdens, and we made no complaint 
till we arrived at Falcon’s Nest and the cause was 
removed. 

The mother without delay prepared to light a fire and 
cook the longed-for potatoes, and the delighted boys ran 
here and there, eager to help ; while I milked the cow 
and the goat and set at liberty the imprisoned ducks and 
geese, after cutting the large feathers of their wings to 
prevent them from flying away. 

At length the much-praised and delicious supper was 
ready, and we enjoyed it as much as we had anticipated. 
It . was not without heartfelt thanks to God for his 
mercies that we retired, fatigued and sleepy, to our 
airy castle. 


[95] 



CHAPTER XI 

THE SLEDGE, THE MASQUERADE, AND THE 
KANGAROO 

TT HAD observed on the shore a quantity of wood 
which I thought suitable for making a sledge to con- 
J-L vey our casks and heavy stores from Tent House to 
Falcon’s Nest. At dawn of day I woke Ernest, whose 
inclination to indolence I wished to overcome. Leaving 
the rest asleep, we descended, and harnessing the ass 
to a strong branch of a tree that was lying near, pro- 
ceeded to the shore. I had no difficulty in selecting 
proper pieces of wood, which, having sawed to the right 
length, we tied together and laid across the bough, so 
that the patient animal drew them very contentedly. 
Adding to the load a small chest which we found half 
buried in the sand, we returned homeward, Ernest lead- 
ing the ass while I assisted by raising the load with a 
lever when we met with any obstruction. My wife had 
been somewhat alarmed, but seeing the result of our 
[96] 


THE SLEDGE 

expedition and hearing of the prospect of a sledge, she 
was satisfied. 

The chest was eagerly opened and examined, but found 
to contain nothing of importance. It was a sailor’s locker, 
and the clothes and linen it held had been completely 
spoiled by sea water. 

Fritz and Jack had been shooting ortolans ; they had 
killed about fifty, but had consumed so much powder 
and shot that when they wished to shoot again their 
mother interfered, representing to them that at such a 
rate their store of powder and shot would soon fail, and 
that for the present she had birds enough. 

I agreed with this sensible advice and taught them to 
make snares for the birds, of threads from the karata 
leaves. My wife and her two younger sons busied them- 
selves with these, while I, with the elder boys, began to 
construct the sledge. As we were working we heard a 
great commotion among our poultry. They screamed 
and cackled and fluttered about in such alarm that we 
ran with all speed to the spot. 

Ernest, by chance, saw the monkey rush under one of 
the arched roots with a newly laid egg in his paw ; he 
disappeared behind the tree as the boy approached, for 
he was longing to make a meal of his stolen prize. But 
Ernest was too quick for him and at length found the 
egg hidden in the grass with three others. Eagerly he 
carried the four to his mother, who received them with 
joy and thankfulness. 

We decided to punish the young freebooter by keeping 
him a prisoner during the hours that the hens generally 

[97] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


laid and at the same time use him to find the eggs that 
were not laid in the ordinary nests. 

Jack, who had mounted our rope ladder to search for a 
suitable spot on which to place the bird traps, came down 
hastily with the news that a pair of our pigeons were 
building a nest among the branches. I gave orders that 
there should be no shooting in the trees, and that the 
idea of placing traps for the birds must for the present 
be set aside. As the boys followed me to the spot at 
which I had left the wood, little Frank said : " Papa, 
why can’t we sow gunpowder instead of those seeds to 
feed the animals.? It would be much more useful than 
fodder to us.” 

His brothers laughed heartily, and Ernest exclaimed, 
” Why, Franky, gunpowder is not a seed ; it will not 
grow like oats ! ” 

Quite right, Ernest,” I said. '' But how is it 
obtained .? ” 

” I know,” he replied ; ''it is made of saltpeter, sul- 
phur, and charcoal mixed together.” 

” And who discovered that these substances united 
would form gunpowder .? ” I asked. 

” Roger Bacon, a monk,” replied Ernest. "He was a 
native of England and lived in the thirteenth century.” 

At this moment the boys were called by their mother, 
and I at once commenced the construction of my sledge. 
I united two curved pieces of wood by three pieces across 
— one in front and one behind, with a third in the 
middle ; then fastening the drawing ropes to the outer 
points, my sledge stood complete. 

[98] 


THE SLEDGE 


I saw my wife and the boys occupied in plucking the 
birds, while at least two dozen were roasting before the 
fire on the blade of a Spanish sword — belonging to one 
of the ship’s officers — as a spit. It seemed somewhat 
wasteful to cook so many at once, but my wife ex- 
plained that she was getting them ready for the butter 
cask I was to bring for her on the new sledge, as I had 
advised her to preserve them half cooked, and packed 
in butter. 

I prepared to start for our tent home with my sledge 
directly after dinner. The mother proposed during my 
absence to wash the clothes and linen while the boys 
were taking a bath. I promised that Ernest should bathe 
on the journey, as I preferred to take him with me in- 
stead of Fritz, who was better able to protect those who 
remained behind. 

In addition to arms, each of us carried, in our girdles 
of shark’s skin, not only a hunting knife but a beautiful 
case made by Fritz, containing a knife, fork, and spoon. 

We harnessed both the cow and the ass to the sledge, 
inviting Floss to accompany us, but sending Turk back 
as a protection to those at home, and with a fond farewell 
started merrily on our way. 

As I knew the sledge would slide more easily on the 
sandy shore than through the high thick grass, I drove 
along the coast and arrived without adventure at Tent 
House. We unharnessed the animals and left them to 
find pasture, while we loaded the sledge not only with 
the butter cask but also with the powder barrel, the cask 
of cheese, the bullets, small shot, and Turk’s coat of mail. 

[99] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


So absorbed were we in this work that we did not at first 
notice the absence of our animals, who, attracted by the 
fresh green turf, had wandered away across the bridge 
over the Jackal River to the opposite shore and had 
quite disappeared. I desired Ernest to go in search of 
them with the dog, while I endeavored to find a con- 
venient spot in which to bathe. 

On arriving at Deliverance Bay I noticed a little 
creek, inclosed on one side by a marsh full of splendid 
Spanish canes and on the other by a chain of rocks 
stretching far into the sea, and forming a most secluded 
bathing place. 

I called Ernest, but as he did not make his appear- 
ance I went to look for him. What was my surprise 
at discovering the youngster lying at full length in a 
shady spot behind our tent, as sound asleep as a dor- 
mouse, while the two animals I had sent him to find 
were comfortably grazing unwatched and wandering where 
they pleased ! 

"Up, up!” I exclaimed, rousing the sleeper; "why, 
these animals might have crossed the bridge and given 
us a pretty chase 1 ” 

" Oh, let them alone, papa ! ” he replied, as he lazily 
roused himself. " I have taken away a few planks from 
the bridge, and it ’s not likely such timid fellows would 
venture over it now.” 

" Your idleness has made you ingenious, Ernest,” I 
replied. " And now, while I take my bath, go and 
gather the store of salt,” I continued. " I will not be 
long, as I wish you also to have your turn.” 

[ i°°] 


THE SLEDGE 


I found the sea bath most cool and refreshing and 
hastened, as quickly as possible after coming out of the 
water, to search for the boy. I suddenly heard his voice 
exclaiming : ” Papa, papa, come quick ! A fish, an enor- 
mous fish ! I can scarcely hold him ! He is tearing 
away my line ! ” 

I ran in the direction of the voice and found the boy 
stretched upon the grass and struggling with all his 
might to retain a fish whose efforts threatened to draw 
him into the water — line, rod, and all. 

I quickly took the fishing rod from his hand and 
lengthened the line to give the fish a little freedom, then 
gradually drew it into shallow water where it was stranded 
and unable to escape. Ernest stepped into the water and 
put an end to its struggles with a blow of his hatchet. 

Drawing the fish to shore, I found it was a magnifi- 
cent salmon of about fifteen pounds’ weight, which would 
form a most excellent addition to our store of provisions 
and very much please the mother. 

" This time you have not been idle,” I said, ” but have 
worked not only with your head but with hands and feet 
and, indeed, your whole body. I congratulate you with 
all my heart ; you not only have acted bravely but have . 
provided us with food for several days.” 

I determined to clean our booty and sprinkle it with 
salt, that we might carry it home in good condition, and 
while I was doing so and harnessing the cattle to the 
sledge, Ernest ha^ his bath. He did not keep me wait- 
ing long, and we soon crossed the bridge on the way 
back to F'alcon’s Nest. 


[lOl] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


Just as we reached the high grass our watchful com- 
panion Floss rushed forward, barking loudly, and disap- 
peared. 

I followed quickly and saw a most singular-looking 
animal, flying from the dog with astonishing leaps. 

I seized the moment when Floss sprang aside to raise 
my gun and fire, but so rashly that I failed. Ernest, 
however, saw the creature stoop and hide itself in the 
long grass. Carefully keeping his eye on the spot, he 
moved nearer with silent footsteps, and raising his gun, 
shot the animal dead. 

We hastily ran to the scene of combat and with wonder 
and surprise discovered that Ernest had killed a most 
singular creature. It was about the size of a sheep, had 
a tail like a tiger, the face and skin of a mouse, and ears 
as large as those of a hare. Its forepaws, resembling those 
of a squirrel, were armed with claws, but too short to be 
of use in walking, especially as the hind legs were of a 
great length. I tried in vain to remember whether I had 
ever seen an animal at all resembling it. 

"We must examine the creature systematically, Ernest,” 
I said. " Look first at its teeth.” 

" It has four incisor teeth, papa, — two upper and two 
under, — like a large squirrel,” he replied. 

" Then he belongs to the same species,” I exclaimed. 
" Can you remember the names of any of the rodent 
animals, Ernest .? ” 

"I know a few,” he replied; "the mouse, the dor- 
mouse, the squirrel, the hare, the beaver, and the 
jerboa.” 


[102] 



THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


"The jerboa!" I exclaimed. "You have put me on 
the right track. I quite believe that this one belongs to 
the species of animals that have a pouch beneath the 
breast, in which the female carries its little ones while 
they are young. No doubt you have shot a female kan- 
garoo. They were not known till the renowned Captain 
Cook discovered them in New Holland.” 

Placing it carefully with the other treasures, we con- 
tinued our journey to Falcon’s Nest, where we arrived at 
a late hour, receiving a joyful welcome, especially after a 
glimpse at the contents of the sledge, which my wife and 
the boys proceeded to examine with wondering eyes. 

And we were no less astonished at the appearance pre- 
sented by the young people who came to meet us. One 
was wrapped in a long blue sailor’s shirt, stepping every 
now and then on the hem as he walked ; another wore a 
pair of trousers, the waistband of which reached to his 
shoulders ; the third was tied up in a jacket which de- 
scended to his knees and gave him the appearance of a 
walking portmanteau. In this strange attire they approached 
us gravely, seeming as proud of their masquerade as a 
prince on the stage. 

They had been obliged, while their clothes were dry- 
ing, to dress themselves in anything they could find in the 
sailor’s locker which I had brought from the shore ; and 
they made so merry over it that their mother permitted 
them to continue in their masquerade, that Ernest and 
myself might join in the fun. 

We laughed at the performance as much as they could 
desire and then proceeded to display the contents of the 

[ '° 4 ] 


THE SLEDGE 


sledge before their astonished eyes — butter and cheese 
casks, the canes, salt, salmon, and at last, to crown the 
whole, the dead kangaroo. 

After unloading the sledge I distributed salt to the 
animals, which was to them a welcome feast. I finished 
the evening by opening and cleaning the kangaroo ; and 
after hanging it on a branch of a tree till the morning, 
I gave the refuse to Turk and Floss, who evidently con- 
sidered it a delicious supper. 

We ourselves sat down to a famous supper of the 
fish caught by Ernest, and some baked potatoes. It was 
soon finished, for we were tired out and longing for 
rest and sleep. 


[ 105] 



CHAPTER XII 


A VOYAGE TO THE WRECK — THE RAFT 



N THE following morning I took off the beauti- 
ful skin of the kangaroo. 

It required great care to separate it from the 
flesh without injury and occupied so long a time that 
breakfast was ready before I had finished. I announced 
my plan of visiting the vessel and requested Fritz to 
make preparations. 

Having collected our arms and provisions, I called 
Ernest and Jack to give them orders, but they were no- 
where to be found. Their mother thought they had gone 
to dig potatoes ; and as they had taken Turk with them, 
we considered them in safe keeping and set out without 
waiting for their return. 

Setting aside other anxiety, Fritz and I said farewell 
to the mother and Frank ; reminding her of that Provi- 
dence in which she trusted, and which would also watch 
[ i°6] 


A VOYAGE TO THE WRECK 


over and take care of us in our voyage to the wreck and 
bless the means we used to secure our own safety. 

As we reached the bridge, Jack and Ernest darted out 
from behind a bush, screaming and laughing over the 
trick they had played upon us. They owned that they had 
come so far in the hope that I would take them with me 
to the ship. I assured them that this was impossible, for 
not only would they be too many for the boat but those 
at home would be anxious at their nonappearance. I 
sent them back with the message that we should remain 
all night, — an announcement which I had lacked courage 
to make myself, — steered our little boat into the current 
which flowed into Deliverance Bay, and very quickly 
reached the wreck. 

Our first care was to collect materials to construct a 
raft which would carry more than our boat of tubs could 
hold. Choosing some empty water barrels, we nailed 
them solidly together and placed over them a flooring of 
planks. 

This occupied most of the day. At night we made a 
survey of the vessel, to decide' what would be most useful 
to take with us, and after a comfortable meal, retired to 
the captain’s cabin and slept well, the elastic mattresses 
forming a far more pleasant couch than the hammocks 
at Falcon’s Nest. 

At dawn the next morning we began to load our two 
boats. After plundering the cabins we had ourselves 
occupied during the voyage, we took the locks from the 
doors and the bolts from the shutters. The contents of a 
couple of sea chests belonging to the ship’s officers were 

[ 107 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


a great treasure to us, but of still greater value were those 
of the ship’s carpenter and the gunsmith. 

The captain’s trunk was full of all sorts of things, some 
of which were so costly that we were quite dazzled. There 
lay gold and silver watches, chains, buckles, studs, and a 
snuffbox, most probably intended as presents, or as stock 
for profitable trade in a new colony. A well-lined cash 
box, full of doubloons and piasters, presenting itself to 
our eyes, Fritz fell naturally into the error of beginning 
our plunder with it. But I quickly pointed out other ob- 
jects which would prove far more useful to us than the 
captain’s gold and silver — a case of knives and forks, for 
instance. Among two dozen beautiful young European 
fruit trees, which had been most carefully packed for the 
voyage, I recognized the pear, apple, orange, almond, 
peach, chestnut, and vine — whose fruit in our dear native 
home we had so often enjoyed. 

Proceeding in our search we discovered a number of 
iron bars of immense strength ; then a grindstone, wagon 
and cart wheels, a complete set of smith’s tools, hatchets 
and shovels, chains, iron and copper wire, a plowshare, 
a hand mill ; and last but not least, sacks full of maize, 
peas, oats, and other grain : in a word, a seemingly inex- 
haustible store of articles evidently intended for the sup- 
port of a European colony to be established in distant 
lands. There were even parts of a sawmill, which it was 
evident might be fitted together with little trouble if we 
had strength enough to lift it. 

And now the question arose. Of all these valuable 
things, which should we take with us and which leave 
[ io8] 


A VOYAGE TO THE WRECK 


behind ? I decided to take powder and shot, iron, lead, 
grain, the fruit trees, and several tools, and of these to 
place on the raft and in our tub boat as much as we could 
possibly carry. Fritz asked that he might take the cap- 
tain’s trunk and have one of the gold watches for himself. 

Among other things which we found and added to our 
store were a large magnetic needle and a mariner’s compass. 

On seeing two harpoons used in whale fishing, Fritz 
obtained my consent to fasten one to the bow of our 
little boat, that in case of attack from large fish or even a 
shark, we might be ready to defend ourselves. 

The raft was fastened to our tub boat by ropes firmly 
attached at each corner, and not without fear of disaster, 
we directed our course towards the shore. 

After v^e had proceeded some distance Fritz observed 
a large and strange-looking body floating on the waves 
and asked me to examine it through the telescope. 

I discovered at once that it was a turtle, asleep on 
the surface of the water and entirely unconscious of our 
approach. 

Fritz begged me to steer towards it, that he might 
examine the singular creature more closely. He had his 
back to me, and the sail floated between us ; I was there- 
fore quite unaware of his movements till a violent shock 
caused the boat to turn and thrill, while a noise as of a 
rope running through a reel was followed by a second 
shock and a rapid rushing forward of the boat. 

What are you about, Fritz } ” I cried. 

” Caught, caught ! ” cried the youth, eagerly. ” I took 
him by surprise.” 


[ 109] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


I saw at once that he had really struck the turtle with 
the harpoon, and that the wounded animal was swimming 
rapidly away and drawing the boat after him, for the 
harpoon was fastened by a rope to the windlass. 

Lowering the sail, I rushed to the fore part of the 
boat to cut the cord with my hunting knife and set the 
turtle free, but Fritz begged me to wait, assuring me 
there was no danger. 

” I can cut the rope instantly, if it is necessary,” he said. 

Drawn by the turtle, we advanced with such rapidity 
that I had enough to do in steering to keep our craft in 
a direct line and so avoid being driven on the rocks. 

I noticed also that the turtle was endeavoring to reach 
the open sea against the wind*, which blew landward. I 
hoisted the sail, and by degrees we were drawn into the 
current leading from Deliverance Bay to the wreck, and 
at last to a soft sloping shore not far from Falcon’s Nest. 
Without delay I jumped into the shallow water and dis- 
patched the turtle with my ax. 

Fritz fired his gun as a signal of our arrival, and as 
usual all came to greet us. Great was their surprise, not 
only at the value of our cargo but at the strange mode 
by which it had been brought into harbor. 

I sent for the sledge to remove a part of our load, 
as the ebbing tide was leaving our vessels almost dry 
upon the sand. 

The first thing to be placed upon it was the turtle, 
which was of enormous size and weighed at least three 
hundred pounds. To keep it in its place we were obliged 
to pile up the mattresses and other light articles around it. 
[no] 


A VOYAGE TO THE WRECK 


To assist the two animals in drawing their heavy load 
to Falcon’s Nest, each exerted all his strength, some 
pushing, others pulling, and so marched in joyous pro- 
cession towards home. 

Our first care on arriving was to unload the turtle and 
lay him on his back, as otherwise we could not remove 
the shell or make use of the delicate flesh. My wife 
doubting the possibility of taking off the shell without 
great difficulty, I seized a hatchet and with one blow on 
the breast of the animal separated a part from the shell, 
cutting off as much of the flesh as would serve for our 
supper. I advised the mother to cook it in the piece of 
shell, adding only a little salt. 

''But I must first cut away this green fat which is 
attached to the meat,” she exclaimed; "it appears to be 
very disgusting.” 

"No, no, my dear ! ” I cried, ” that green fat is the 
best part and will give a most delicious flavor to our eve- 
ning dish. If there is too much, remove what you think 
proper, and it can be salted down with the flesh that 
remains. The head, the paws, and the entrails we will 
give to the dogs.” 

” And the shell,” cried Fritz ; ” could we not make it 
into a water trough .? It would be so pleasant to have 
clean fresh water for our bath or for washing our 
hands.” 

” That would indeed be useful,” I replied, ” if your 
plan could be carried out. But a trough requires some- 
thing to support it, and for that we should want loam 
or clay to cement our stones.” 

[Ill] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


" Oh ! I can supply you with clay,” exclaimed Jack, 
putting in his word. There is a splendid heap under 
the roots of our tree.” 

" I am glad to hear such news,” I replied. " Where 
did you find it. Jack ? ” 

"He brought it home this morning from the banks of 
the river,” said his mother, " and was so besmeared with 
mud and clay that I was obliged to give him a thorough 
washing.” 

" Ah, yes, mamma ! but you know I told you I should 
never have discovered the clay if I had not slipped while 
I was walking on the shore. No wonder my face and 
hands were in such a condition.” 

"When you have decided about the water trough,” 
said Ernest, " I will show you some roots that I have dis- 
covered ; our old sow eats them as if they were delicious. 
They appear to be a sort of radish root.” 

"You were right not to taste one,” I said, "for many 
things are suitable for animals, which are injurious to 
human beings. How did you discover them .? ” 

" I was rambling about this morning,” he replied, 
"and noticed the sow scraping among the shrubs and 
swallowing something very greedily ; so I drove her away 
and found a number of the roots she had dug up.” 

After examining them carefully I exclaimed : " If I 
am not mistaken, my son, you have made as useful a 
discovery as that of the potatoes. I believe this is the 
Manihot, or yam, of which cassava cakes are made in the 
Indies. But it must be carefully prepared, otherwise it 
may not be edible, for it may contain a dangerous poison.” 

[112] 


A VOYAGE TO THE WRECK 


While talking we had been busily engaged in unload- 
ing the sledge, and that task being now completed, I 
again set off with the three elder boys to bring another 
load from the boat before supper. The mother and Frank 
remained behind to prepare and cook the flesh of the 
turtle, so that when we returned, tired and hungry, we 
might find a royal dish awaiting us. 

We loaded the sledge with as much as it would carry ; 
the two chests, the wagon wheels, the hand mill, — which 
the discovery of the Manihot rendered doubly important 
and valuable to us, — and as many smaller things as we 
could find room for. 

The supper of turtle which the kind mother had pre- 
pared proved delicious, and when we ascended to our 
sleeping rooms in the tree and laid ourselves down on the 
mattresses brought from the ship, we quickly sank into 
sweet and refreshing sleep. 


[” 3 ] 



THE WHEELBARROWS — CASSAVA CAKES 

TT ROSE at daybreak next morning, harnessed the ass 
to the sledge, summoned the dogs, and went to the 
-IL beach. Both the boat and the raft were still safe, and 
without delay I placed upon the sledge a light load and 
returned to Falcon’s Nest. After a hasty breakfast we 
repaired again to the shore, for I was anxious to have 
the boat and the raft unloaded before noon, that they 
might be ready to float as soon as the tide served. 

By the time we reached Falcon’s Nest with our last 
load, the tide had risen sufficiently to float the vessels, 
and I steered at once to Deliverance Bay ; for the beauti- 
ful weather and the calm sea tempted me to venture on 
another voyage to the wreck. 

It was late, and I merely collected what could be 
packed quickly and without much trouble. Jack, who ran 
here and there, found a wheelbarrow, and Fritz discov- 
ered something far more useful — the ship’s pinnace, 

[ ” 4 ] 


THE WHEELBARROWS 

carefully packed in the center of an inclosure and sup- 
plied with two small cannon. To raise the boat from its 
present position and get it fitted together and launched 
would require strength and skill, and I saw that this was 
not the time to commence such an undertaking. I there- 
fore superintended the boys in the loading of the raft, 
advising them to choose the most useful articles ; among 
others a copper kettle, a grindstone, two large iron plates, 
a powder cask, a box of flint stones, — which were most 
welcome to me, — several tobacco graters, and two more 
wheelbarrows beside Jack’s. We again set sail, for I was 
anxious to avoid the land wind which generally rose after 
sunset. 

As we neared the shore a group of figures standing 
in a long row regarded us with great curiosity. 

" Well ! ” I exclaimed, " are we in a country inhabited 
by pygmies ? ” 

They are Lilliputians, papa ! ” cried Jack. 

As we came nearer, my knowledge of natural history 
came to my aid. "They are penguins,” I exclaimed, 
" and can be as easily caught as the boobies which Ernest 
drove from the body of the dead shark. Although excel- 
lent swimmers, they are helpless on land, for they can 
neither fly nor run from danger.” 

No sooner had the boat reached shallow water than out 
sprang Jack and waded to the shore. He was among the 
penguins before they had noticed him and had knocked 
down five or six. The rest hastily plunged into the water, 
swimming and diving so quickly that they soon vanished. 

I examined the prey and found two birds dead, but the 

[115] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


rest only stunned ; indeed they were very gravely attempt- 
ing to waddle away. We seized them, and after tying 
their legs together, left them on the shore till we had 
filled our wheelbarrows as full as possible with articles 
from our boat. 

My wife was delighted with our barrows and their 
miscellaneous contents, but looked rather doubtfully at 
the iron plates and the tobacco graters. We lost no time 
in setting free the living penguins, which I tied by the 
leg to a tree among our ducks and geese, in the hope 
that they would become tame and by degrees reconciled 
to their new abode. 

I warmly praised the industry of the two boys, who 
during our absence had collected a splendid store of pota- 
toes and a large number of roots similar to those which 
Ernest had discovered on the day previous and which I 
recognized as manioc, from which tapioca is prepared. 

" Ah, yes, papa ! ” said little Frank ; " but what would 
you say to our field of Indian corn, and pumpkins, and 
melons ? ” 

” Oh, you chatterbox ! ” exclaimed his mother. I did 
not wish your father to know of this till the plants were 
above the ground.” 

"I am sorry,” I replied, ''but the surprise has only 
occurred a little sooner, and I am equally pleased. Where 
did you find seeds } ” 

"From the magic bag,” she replied, "and I sowed 
them in the soil after we had removed the potatoes.” 

"You have done well, dear wife,” I said. " I hope 
your plan will be successful.” 

[ ” 6 ] 


CASSAVA CAKES 

The tobacco graters were lying on the ground near us, 
and my wife, pointing to them, inquired, " Of what use 
are those tobacco raspers, dear husband ? ” 

''They are to be the means of providing you with 
fresh bread.” 

"I cannot imagine,” she exclaimed, "what tobacco, 
graters have to do with new bread ! Besides, even if you 
had flour, where is the baking oven.? ” 

" Flat cakes can be baked upon these iron plates,” I 
replied. "And as for flour, that can be obtained from the 
cassava roots discovered by Ernest. If you will make a 
small strong bag of sailcloth, we will try the experiment 
with our new pastry before we sleep to-night.” 

My wife promptly agreed to get the bag ready, but I 
could see that she doubted my judgment, for she filled 
the newly arrived copper kettle with potatoes, which she 
placed on the fire to be ready for our supper in case the 
bread-baking should be a failure. 

In the meantime I spread a cloth over the ground and 
gave each of the boys a grater and one of the carefully 
washed manioc roots, resting the end on the cloth. In a 
short time we had a heap of what appeared to be moist 
white sawdust. 

When a sufficient quantity had been scraped, I filled 
the bag and tied the mouth of it tightly, so that when 
pressed, only the poisonous sap might flow out between 
the threads of the cloth. 

To obtain the means of pressing, I laid two or three 
smooth planks on one of the roots of the huge tree which 
held our aerial castle, and placing the bag of flour upon 

[117] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

them, covered it with another plank, across which I laid 
one of our levers, with one end under an arched root, 
heaping upon the other end lead, iron bars, stones, and 
every heavy article I could find ; and very soon the sap 
was seen flowing to the ground below. 

" I think we could commence bread-making at once,” 
exclaimed Fritz, ''not a drop is falling from the bag now.” 

"lam quite willing,” I replied ; " but before we attempt 
to make bread for ourselves, a cake must be baked for 
the chickens and the ape ; if they eat it willingly and 
without harm, we may safely follow their example.” 

The bag was opened and the meal spread out to dry. 
I moistened a small quantity with water and mixed up 
a cake, which was laid on one of the iron plates over a 
clear fire, made as usual between large stones on the 
earth ; and as soon as the underside was brown, it was 
turned, and when sufficiently baked, taken out to cool. 

Meanwhile the boys attracted a few of the fowls and 
the ape to the spot, but the cake exhaled such a delicious 
odor that they looked on with envy as I gave it to the 
animals, and had I not firmly opposed their longing, 
would, I believe, have helped themselves. 

"If this flour is poisonous, will it stupefy the animals 
or cause them pain ” asked Fritz. 

” There are two chief qualities in the poison of some of 
these plants,” I replied. "One, which is painful in the 
extreme, produces effects quickly, like arsenic ; the other 
either stupefies or creates unnatural excitement, like opium, 
producing lingering disorders which eventually end in 
death. This is therefore described as a slow poison.” 

[ii8] 


CASSAVA CAKES 


I noticed with satisfaction that the fowls were eagerly 
eating up the crumbs, and that Master Nip was devouring 
his piece of the cake with great rapidity. 

'' What do they call this bread in America, papa ? ” 
asked Fritz, presently. 

'' At the Antilles,^ where the root is chiefly found, they 
call it cassava bread,” I replied. '' But see, my dear,” 
I continued, addressing my wife, '' the animals have 
eaten it all, and we must begin our baking performances 
early to-morrow morning if we find that our cassava tasters 
are none the worse for what they have eaten.” 

We seated ourselves to partake of supper on the 
benches and at the table which I had constructed with 
planks on the spreading roots. The potatoes were excel- 
lent, and although the flesh of the penguin was fishy in 
taste and rather tough, it was, after all, not so bad as 
we had feared. We could once more thank God for his 
benefits as we retired with appeased appetites to our 
castle on the tree. 


[ ” 9 ] 


CHAPTER XIV 


THE PINNACE ANDl THE PETARD 


BINDING that the fowls and the monkey were as 
H lively as ever next morning, we set eagerly to work 
J_L to bake for ourselves and in good time had a large 
store of bread in our possession. The boys were so proud 
of their performances that each ate his own cakes for 
breakfast ; and certainly, with butter, I could almost fancy 
myself eating hot rolls in our own dear country. A large 
bowl of new milk added the finishing touch to our meal. 

During breakfast I expressed my strong desire to pay 
another visit to the wreck with the boys, that we might 
endeavor by our united efforts to manage the pinnace 
which we had discovered on the previous day. 

The good mother was not to be convinced, at first, that 
anything could make it necessary for me to venture again 
on the treacherous sea ; but she at length consented, on 
condition that I would on no account remain another 
night on the wreck. 

[ " 20 ] 



THE PINNACE AND THE PETARD 

On arriving there I advised the boys to load both 
the raft and the boat with the things that came first to 
hand, so that at least we might not return empty-handed, 
and I hastened to have one more look at the pinnace. 

I contrived to creep within the inclosure, and by 
means of the feeble light from two narrow slits in the 
wooden partition, discovered to my great satisfaction that 
each piece of the vessel being carefully laid in its proper 
place and, above all, numbered, it could be rebuilt with 
ease and correctness. 

So many difficulties, however, presented themselves, 
that but for the strong desire I felt to have in my pos- 
session such a beautiful little vessel, it is more than 
probable I should not have attempted the undertaking. 
I was convinced that with patience and perseverance 
we should be able to reconstruct the pinnace, and I de- 
cided to put it together, with the help of my boys, in 
the hope that some means for launching it would be 
suggested to me. 

The evening arrived before anything could be done, 
and we returned home with our load. What was our 
surprise and pleasure, on reaching Deliverance Bay, to 
see the mother and little Frank on the shore waiting to 
receive us! "We are going to remain at Tent House," 
said my wife, " until you have cleared the wreck. It will 
be a shorter voyage for you, and we shall be constantly 
within sight of each other." 

I knew how little my brave wife liked residing at Tent 
House, and I was glad to be able to reward her self-denial 
by placing before her the articles we had brought with us 
[ I2I ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


— two casks of butter, three of flour, a case of corn and 
rice, with a number of other useful articles for our 
storehouse. 

A week was occupied with our voyages to the wreck. 
We started early every morning and returned home in 
the evening heavily laden. 

During our absence my wife and little Frank visited 
Falcon’s Nest frequently, to look after the poultry and 
bring away potatoes from the held close by. When we 
met in the evening we had plenty to talk about as we 
enjoyed the excellent suppers provided from our stores. 

The pinnace was at last ready to be set free from her 
prison. Her appearance was neat and elegant. She had 
a tiller, and a small quarter-deck on which to raise a mast 
and sail like a cutter, and being of a light build, would not 
draw much water. We had carefully calked all the joints 
and openings and covered them with pitch or ship’s tar. 
On the quarter-deck we placed two little cannon, securing 
them with chains in the manner usual on board ship. 

There sat the beautiful thing, immovable in its prison, 
yet impatient to dart into the sea and to carry its masts 
and spread its sails on the bosom of the ocean. The 
thought that a storm might arise and destroy it with 
the wreck led me to determine upon a great risk, but I 
said nothing of my intention to the boys. 

I filled an iron mortar, which had been found in the 
steward’s room, with gunpowder, and covered it securely 
with the end of a stout plank, in which I cut a groove 
and laid a train of gunpowder. Then, having contrived 
a fuse which I thought would burn for an hour before 
[122] 


THE PINNACE AND THE PETARD 


reaching the powder, I calked every crevice with tar and 
bound the whole together with chains. 

This terrible instrument, a kind of petard, I suspended 
in the inclosure occupied by the pinnace, on the side . 
from which I calculated, as carefully as possible, that the 
recoil of an explosion would set our little craft free, yet 
without injury to it. Giving the boys the order to go 
on board our tub boat, I returned, lighted the fuse, and 
hastily embarking, steered away from the wreck. 

We had arrived at Tent House and were unloading the 
raft, when a sudden and frightful noise on the sea, like 
the roar of cannon, so alarmed my wife and boys that 
they screamed in terror. 

" The sound came from the sea ! ” exclaimed my wife. 
" And look at the smoke ! I hope, dear husband, you 
have not left fire near the powder ! ” 

" There is nothing of that sort to fear,” I said. ” I 
think the explosion has something to do with the pinnace. 
Boys, I must go back and see what has happened ; who 
will go with me ? ” 

Without a word the boys sprang into the boat, while I 
remained for a moment to explain the matter to my wife. 

I saw with satisfaction that the form and position of 
the vessel remained unchanged. With a light heart I 
steered to the other si^i^ and there discovered the destruc- 
tion caused by my petard. A large portion of the ship’s 
side had been shattered, and the fragments floated on 
the water, while through the opening which yawned upon 
us we could see the uninjured pinnace. 

'' It is won ! ” cried I ; "the beautiful pinnace is ours ! ” 

[ 123 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


We climbed through the opening and found to our 
great delight that it would be easy, with the aid of a 
pulley and lever, to push the pinnace from the wreck, 
as while reconstructing it I had taken the precaution to 
place rollers under the keel. 

When all was ready, we threw our united strength into 
the performance and saw her glide slowly into the sea, 
held in check by the rope which moored her alongside the 
wreck. Leaving her in this safe position, we returned to 
Tent House. 

It took two days more of hard work to finish rigging 
and freighting the pinnace, but we still kept it on the side 
of the wreck farthest from the shore, so as to surprise 
the mother and little Frank with its wonderful appear- 
ance. Our movements on that side could not be clearly 
seen from the shore, even through a telescope. 

When at last all was in readiness it was impossible 
to refuse the request of my boys that they be allowed to 
give their mother a majestic salute from our two guns, 
to add to the surprise which awaited her. Accordingly as 
we entered the bay, Ernest and Jack,* at the command of 
Fritz, who was captain, put their matches to the guns and 
fired. My wife and Frank rushed out in alarm, but our 
joyful shouts reassured them. After I had jumped ashore 
and explanations had been given,^Fritz placed a plank 
from the pinnace to the shore so that his mother might 
come on board. After examining it and listening to the 
description of our exertions in fitting the parts together 
and launching the boat, my wife could not sufficiently 
praise our industry and perseverance. 

[*24] 


THE PINNACE AND THE PETARD 


'' But do not suppose that Frank and I have been idle 
during all these days,” she continued. ” Indeed, we have 
been very busy the whole time, and if you will come with 
me I will show you the result of our work.” 

We all landed quickly, and after mooring the boat 
securely, followed the mother to a place near where the 
Jackal stream falls in a tiny cascade over the rocks. 
There in an open space was a complete kitchen garden, 
divided into compartments by paths in every direction. 

” This is my work and Frank’s,” exclaimed my wife, 
in answer to our looks and words of astonishment. ” We 
found the earth soft enough for us to dig and prepare. 
Here,” she continued, ” I have planted potatoes ; yonder 
are fresh cassava roots ; on the other side I have sowed 
lettuce and salad seeds, and near them have left a space 
for you to plant with reeds and bamboo canes.” 

Leading us on and pointing to another division, she 
said ; ” This will be our fruit garden. Farther on I 
have sowed a quantity of each sort of grain which you 
brought from the vessel ; and above, in a shelf of the 
rock, have planted roots of the ananas, because their 
clinging tendrils will form a shade for the young shoots. 
Water,” she added, ” can be easily brought from the 
neighboring waterfall, and there is no doubt that the 
plants will grow and thrive.” 

"You have performed wonders, dear wife ! ” I ex- 
claimed, after we had examined the fruitful spot ; and 
then, as the sunset was approaching, we unloaded our 
craft, fixed our pinnace to the shore by means of a rope 
from the bow, and took the road to Falcon’s Nest. 

[125] 



CHAPTER XV 


THE WALK TO THE CALABASH WOOD 


TFORE our visits to the wreck were over, we 
passed the second Sunday of our stay upon the 
island and honored it with earnest devotion. 

I did not attempt much in the form of preaching, but 
my hearers were interested in the Bible reading with the 
instruction I drew from it, and their young voices joined 
sweetly in favorite hymns which my wife sang from 
memory. 

After our midday meal I desired my boys to let me 
see what dexterity they had acquired in athletic sports, 
such as leaping, running, wrestling, and climbing, which 
I considered essential both for their bodily strength and 
for giving confidence in times of threatened danger. 
Nothing makes a man so timid and fearful as a want 
of confidence in his physical strength. 

In addition to these exercises I advised my boys to 
[126] 



THE WALK TO THE CALABASH WOOD 


practice running up and down the rope ladder that led to 
our sleeping room in the tree and also to learn to raise 
themselves by a loose rope, which I suspended from the 
balcony, as the sailors do on board ship. I made knots 
here and there in the rope at first, but after a little prac- 
tice they managed to climb and descend with very few 
knots, and at last hand over hand and with legs crossed, 
as sailors do, on a smooth rope and without assistance. 

While this was going on I prepared another weapon 
for their use. I began by tying a bullet to each end of 
a piece of rope about six feet long, and in a few minutes 
the boys were all around me, eagerly inquiring what I 
was doing and whether it would be something useful. 

"You shall see me use it presently," I replied. " I 
am trying to make a weapon called the lasso, used by 
the Mexicans and settlers in South America. They 
swing the end of it, in which a stone is tied, round or 
over their heads while holding the other end in the 
hand, and throw it with such power and swiftness that 
the animal they wish to capture is caught by the flying 
rope, which twists around its body and limbs and renders 
it unable to move. The Mexicans are so skillful with the 
lasso that they can throw it while on horseback, and they 
seldom fail in securing their prey." 

I made a trial of the lasso on the stump of a not-far- 
distant tree, and the rope wrapped itself about the tree 
so securely that the boys were more eager than ever to 
try the new weapon. I therefore prepared one for each 
of the boys and set them at work. Fritz was soon skill- 
ful in throwing it, and I encouraged the rest to persevere 
[127] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

in acquiring the same facility, as the weapon might be 
invaluable to us when our ammunition failed. 

On looking out the next morning, I saw that the sea 
was too much agitated for any expedition in the boats 
and therefore turned to home employments. We looked 
over our stores for winter provision. My wife showed 
me a cask of ortolans she had preserved in butter, and 
a quantity of loaves of cassava bread, carefully prepared. 
She pointed out that the pigeons had built in the tree 
and were sitting on their eggs. We also looked over the 
young fruit trees brought from Europe, and my sons and 
I laid out a piece of ground, and planted them. 

The day passed in these employments, and as we 
had lived only upon potatoes, cassava bread, and milk, 
we determined to go next morning in pursuit of game 
to recruit our larder. At dawn we all started, including 
little Frank and his mother, who wished to take this 
opportunity of seeing a little more of the country. I 
harnessed the ass to the sledge, which contained our 
provision for the day and was to bring back the prod- 
ucts of the chase. Turk, accoutered in his coat of mail, 
formed the advanced guard ; my sons followed with 
their guns ; then came my wife, with Frank leading the 
ass ; and at a little distance I closed the procession, 
with Master Nip mounted on the patient Floss. 

Our road lay through Flamingo Marsh, and my wife 
and the younger boys, who had not seen the place before, 
exclaimed with admiration at every turn. Fritz, eager 
for a hunting adventure, soon disappeared, and we were 
presently startled by the noisy bark of the dog, as an 
[128] 


THE WALK TO THE CALABASH WOOD 

enormous bird rose in the air. A shot from Fritz brought 
it instantly to the ground, but it was not dead, and with 
incredible strength it beat its wings with rage, scattering 
the dust as it ran with Turk following. 

Floss, who could not look on without wishing to take 
part in the fray, threw her little monkey rider from her 
back to join in the chase. Quick as lightning she caught 
the bird and held it fast till Fritz came up ; but the kicks 
it gave the dogs were so violent that Turk slunk away, 
and Fritz was obliged to wait until I could reach them. 
The captive was a magnificent bustard. 

Anxious to secure the bird without killing it, I threw 
my handkerchief over its head, then hastened to tie the 
legs together, and after releasing the wounded wing from 
the jaws of Floss, I tied another handkerchief over both 
wings and body. I wished to preserve it alive, in the 
hope of taming it as an addition to our farmyard. With- 
out delay we carried it to our impatient and curious 
traveling companions, placed it on the sledge, and re- 
sumed our journey to the coconut wood in which little 
Nip’s mother had been killed by the dogs. 

Ernest, a little in advance of the rest, quickly reached 
the wood. He stopped suddenly, as he espied the beauti- 
ful clusters of nuts which hung from the higher branches 
of a magnificent coco palm. " Oh, how terribly high the 
nuts are ! I wish I had one ! ” he exclaimed. 

Hardly had he uttered the words when a nut fell 
heavily at his feet from the wonderful tree. A second 
followed, as much to my astonishment as to his, for they 
were scarcely ripe, and it was impossible to suppose they 

[129] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


had fallen on account of decay. " Why, papa ! ” cried 
the boy, ''this is just like a fairy tale. No sooner is a 
wish formed in the mind than it is granted.” 

'' Our good fairy is probably seated on the tree in 
the form of an ape, who is more interested to pelt us 
with nuts than to supply dainties for our table,” I 
replied. 

Cautiously the boy picked up the nuts and brought 
them to me. Presently two more fell, and Fritz, who 
with his mother and the rest had joined us, cried : ''I 
have discovered him, papa, a horribly hideous creature, 
as large as my hat, with two enormous claws like a crab. 
See ! he is coming down the tree.” 

Slowly and steadily it glided down the trunk of the 
tree, but before it could reach the ground. Jack struck 
at it with the butt end of his gun. He failed, however, 
to injure it, and the animal sprang to the ground and 
with gaping claws marched towards his assailant. 

The little fellow defended himself bravely, but all his 
strokes failed to reach the animal, who jumped aside and 
avoided them with wonderful dexterity. At last the boy 
stood still, removed his knapsack and arms, took off his 
jacket, held it extended in both hands, advanced cautiously 
towards his adversary, and suddenly threw it over the 
animal ; then, kneeling on the ground, rested his whole 
weight upon the creature’s body, and wrapping the jacket 
completely round it, began thumping violently with his 
fists the strange bundle, in which performance he exerted 
his whole strength. I seized the hatchet and with a few 
strokes put an end to the monster crab. 

[ 13°] 


THE WALK TO THE CALABASH WOOD 


" Well/’ cried Jack, '' that is a disgusting, ugly animal ! 
What is it, papa ? ” 

” This bold gentleman is the coconut crab. He lives 
upon the nuts, the shells of which he opens as much by 
skill as strength, and is no mean adversary for a boy to 
meet and conquer.” 

For some time we proceeded on our journey very 
slowly, on account of a thick growth of underwood and 
the tendrils of creeping plants. Several times we had to 
stop and with an ax cut a way for the ass and sledge. 
Ernest at length made the agreeable discovery that a kind 
of liquid oozed from the divided ends of the tendrils, that 
was pure and drinkable. 

The boys eagerly gathered a large quantity, and I 
showed them how to obtain the liquid more plentifully, 
by making an incision at each end as we had done with 
the sugar canes. We soon had enough, both for ourselves 
and the animals. 

After pushing on for some distance through the 
thicket, we came to a clearing and saw before us, near 
the seashore, the beautiful calabash trees, forming a shel- 
tering wood. The splendid trees and their singular fruit 
excited great wonder and surprise, and I hastened to ex- 
plain the varied forms of the gourds and also how easily 
we could make from them a good supply of the vessels 
and different articles we needed. 

Fritz repeated all the history of our former attempts, 
and cut some gourds to make his mother some egg 
baskets and a large spoon for skimming milk. We sat 
down under the shade and took some refreshment, and 

[ 131 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


afterwards, while we all worked at making baskets, bowls, 
and flasks, Ernest, who had no taste for such labor, 
explored the wood. Suddenly we saw him running to us 
in great terror, crying, wild boar, papa; a great wild 
boar ! ” Fritz and I seized our guns and ran to the 
'Spot he pointed out, the dogs preceding us. 

We soon heard barking and loud grunting, which proved 
that the combat had begun, and hoping for a good prize, 
we hastened forward ; when what was our vexation to 
find the dogs holding by the ears not a wild boar but our 
own great sow, whose wild and intractable disposition had 
induced her to leave us and live in the woods ! We could 
not but laugh at our disappointment, and I made the dogs 
release the poor sow, who immediately resumed her feast 
on a small fruit which had fallen from the trees and 
tempted the voracious beast to this spot. I took up one 
of these apples and found the contents to be of a rich 
and juicy nature, but did not venture to taste it till we had 
put it to the usual test. We collected a quantity, I even 
^'Eproke a loaded branch from the tree, and we returned to 
our party. 

Jack, who was in advance of us, had scrambled up a 
rocky mound at a little distance ; but no sooner had he 
reached the summit than he stood still with a horror- 
stricken face, as if unable to move, and exclaimed, 
" Papa, papa, a crocodile, a crocodile ! ” 

" A crocodile ! ” I replied. '' What, so far from the 
water as this } That would indeed be singular.” As I 
spoke, however, we all rushed to the spot, and I immedi- 
ately recognized a kind of large lizard, named the iguana, 
[^32] 


THE WALK TO THE CALABASH WOOD 


much esteemed as delicate eating in the West Indies. 
"This will be a prize," I exclaimed to the boys, "if we 
can capture this creature as a present for your mother." 

. Fritz raised his gun to fire, but I checked him. " Steady, 
my boy," I said. "You must not be so rash. Your shot 
would most likely only wound the animal without killing 
him, for these creatures have a wonderful tenacity of life. 
We must use other means to capture our booty." 

I cut a strong switch and fastened to the end of it a 
string with a slipknot. In my left hand I carried a large 
dry branch of a tree and slowly approached the sleeping 
animal. As I drew nearer I whistled softly, increasing in 
loudness by degrees. The sleeper presently awoke and 
raised his head to listen, and perhaps to see whence the 
sound came. I approached, with caution, near enough 
to pass my slipknot round his neck, still continuing to 
whistle. The task was not difficult, for the animal ap- 
peared so infatuated with the music that I succeeded in 
throwing the cord and tightening the knot round his neck 
and made him my captive with ease. I dragged him tiT* 
the foot of the rock, turned him over on his back to kill 
him more speedily, and firmly piercing the nostril with 
my switch, killed him instantly. 

We could not think of leaving such valuable booty be- 
hind us, and as our sledge was a long way off I resolved 
to carry the creature on my back, the boys following to 
support the tail, for the weight was enormous. 

We chose the shortest way to the mother and Frank, 
but long before we reached them heard our names called 
in tones of anxiety. Our long absence had alarmed them, 

[133] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


because there had not been the usual firing ; but when 
we replied to them cheerfully, all trouble was forgotten. 
Many questions were asked, and so much had to be related 
that we began to feel hungry. It was impossible to pre- 
pare a portion of the iguana for dinner, and we were 
obliged to content ourselves with the cold provisions we 
had brought from Falcon’s Nest. Master Nip had eaten 
so eagerly one of the apples which I offered him, that I 
readily gave the boys the permission they desired ; and 
never, I believe, was fruit so thoroughly enjoyed. The 
ape, not satisfied with those we gave him, found our store 
and stole several. Even the bustard, which we had tied 
by the leg to a tree, came the length of his string to seize 
an apple which we threw to him. 

I came to the conclusion at last that we had discov- 
ered a West Indian fruit named guava ; it was so full of 
juice that it supplied the place of water, and our thirst 
was greatly relieved. Altogether the frugal meal greatly 
refreshed and strengthened us, and as the day was far 
advanced, my wife proposed that we should prepare to 
turn our steps homeward, and I readily agreed to her 
suggestion. 

We started on a direct road to Falcon’s Nest and pres- 
ently entered a wood of majestic oaks, beneath which lay 
a quantity of acorns on which the bustard fed with great 
eagerness. Before sunset we were at home, and a piece 
of the iguana’s flesh, baked, with potatoes and roasted 
acorns, formed our supper, after which, with thankful 
hearts, we retired to rest in our aerial chamber and slept 
soundly till morning. 


[ 134] 



CHAPTER XVI 

THE CANADIAN FOWL AND THE INDIA-RUBBER 
TREE 

RITZ and I started next morning with the ass to 



bring home the sledge and the remainder of the 


J_L gourd vessels. On arriving at the wood of oaks, 
we found the sow peacefully feeding on the acorns with 
a good appetite, none the worse for the attack upon her 
and not in the least shy or wild. 

While passing through the wood, we heard at a little 
distance a most singular noise, somewhat like the sound 
of a muffled drum. Creeping softly through the bushes 
which concealed the spot, we came upon an open space 
in which lay the partly decayed trunk of a tree, and upon 
it stood a beautiful bird of about the size of a domestic 
cock, having round his neck a magnificent collar of varie- 
gated feathers and making the most ridiculous grimaces 
and antics. At first he twisted himself round and round, 


[ 135 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


rolled his eyes as if he were possessed, then ruffled the 
feathers of his collar, producing by the movement a 
strange noise ; then he spread his tail in the form of a 
fan, and beat his wings with such velocity that a mist like 
a cloud seemed to envelop him. It was evidently this 
beating of the wings which produced the sound of the 
muffled drum. This droll little performer was surrounded 
by a number of others, exactly like himself, but without 
the feathered ruff round the neck ; they were assembled, 
without doubt, to witness his antics, with which they 
seemed to be greatly delighted. 

All this so excited my curiosity that I had determined 
to wait and see the end of the play ; when an unexpected 
shot fired by Fritz suddenly put an end to the comedy. 

The inspired drummer fell from the stage and lay 
stretched in the sand, and the scared feathered audience 
took to flight. 

I could not refrain from reproving Fritz for his rash- 
ness, and by so doing, greatly lessened his pride in having 
aimed so correctly. However as the creature was really 
dead, and on examination proved to be a valuable prize, 
I overlooked the eagerness of the sportsman. 

The morning was by this time far advanced, and I 
found it necessary to hasten our proposed excursion to 
the chain of rocks, to discover if possible whether we 
were on the inner land of an extensive promontory or oh 
an island surrounded by the ocean. We passed a small 
brook ; large plantations of Manihot, or cassava, and pota- 
toes ; and farther on a grove of trees, from the branches 
of which hung curious clusters of berries exactly like wax. 
[ 136] 


THE CANADIAN FOWL 


We picked several and found that the warmth of our 
hands made them stick to our fingers. 

" Are they of any use, papa ? ” asked Fritz. ” They do 
not seem to be good to eat.” 

'' They are not useful as food, but what if we should 
be able to make wax candles for our winter evenings } ” 
This prospect greatly pleased Fritz, and he gladly assisted 
me in gathering as many berries as we could get into a 
sack for the ass to carry. 

We had not proceeded far, when we came upon a 
singular-looking object, built around the trunk of a tree 
and looking like a large umbrella. I saw at once that the 
formation consisted of a great number of nests, built at 
the point on the tree from which the lower branches 
sprung, by a colony of birds who appeared to be living 
together in great harmony. Each pair had its own nest ; 
in fact this curious construction was like a town full of 
houses, all under one roof formed of straw and moss 
and sloping down from the trunk of the tree like the 
cover of an umbrella. The branches of the tree over- 
shadowed -and partly concealed the colonial residence, 
enabling the little creatures to slip in and out of their 
nest entrances without attracting much attention. 

The number, also, of the feathered inhabitants greatly 
astonished me ; for they took alarm at our approach 
and flew around us, chattering angrily and evidently 
ready to repel by thousands of beaks any attack on 
their community. 

While observing with admiration this wonderful proof 
of bird instinct, I was surprised to see a species of small 

[137] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROB TN SON 


parrot enter some of the nests, causing a great commotion 
among the colonists. Fritz, who very much wished to 
secure a living parrot, threw his gun on the ground and 
climbed the tree. On reaching the nearest branch, he 
seized it with one hand while he thrust the other into the 
nearest nest opening ; it was empty. He tried another, 
with the same result. The third time he was rewarded for 
his boldness as a nest robber ; for, while feeling the soft 
feathers of the birds in the nest, a hard seed-cracking 
beak seized his finger and obliged him quickly to with- 
draw his hand and cry out with pain as he shook it in 
the air. But he had not lost his hold on the bough, and 
thrusting his hand again into the nest and seizing the 
lovely biter, he brought him out in spite of his screams. 

Fritz was highly delighted with his prize, which proved 
to be a kind of sparrow parrot with beautiful green 
plumage. He placed it in his pocket to take home and 
teach to talk. 

As we continued our journey, our conversation natu- 
rally turned on the social instinct of these birds and the 
skill they displayed in building. Fritz asked if there were 
other creatures with similar powers and if these powers 
could be the result of instinct. 

" Beavers,’’ I replied, '' build quite a village, in which 
a large number live together in great sociability. Bees, 
wasps, and ants, also, possess this social instinct.” 

” Ah, yes, papa, I have watched the ants. It is a most 
amusing sight.” 

'Hf the ants of our native country have interested 
you,” I said, ” what would be your astonishment at 
[138] 


THE INDIA-RUBBER TREE 


those of other lands ! They build for their eggs a kind 
of oven or nest, from four to six feet high and nearly 
as broad, with walls and roof so hard that neither rain nor 
sunshine can penetrate it. In it are streets, galleries, vaults, 
and store cellars, and it is so firmly built that with little 
change it might be used as a baking oven for man.” 

While conversing thus, we reached what looked like 
wild-fig trees. They were from forty to sixty feet in 
height, and from the bark, which was cracked in some 
places, issued balls of thick gum. It was with difficulty 
that Fritz got one of them off. He tried to soften it with 
his hand as we proceeded on our journey, but found that 
heat only gave it the power of extension and that on 
being released it resumed its first form. 

"Look, papa!” he exclaimed, "I am sure the trees 
we took for wild figs are caoutchouc trees, and that this 
is india rubber.” 

" That would be a valuable discovery to us,” I replied. 

" Why, can any use be made of the rubber except to 
remove pencil marks } ” 

" Oh, yes I the sap of the caoutchouc tree is used for 
very many articles that will be of great service to us.” 

We now reached the coconut wood, and it occurred to 
me to look for one of those most valuable trees called the 
sago palm. I noticed presently a large trunk broken 
down by the wind, in which I found pith of a floury 
nature, exactly resembling European sago. A grove of 
sugar canes lay in our homeward way, and not to return 
empty handed, we gathered a large bundle of the sweet 
dainty, not forgetting to refresh ourselves with them also. 

[ 139] 



CHAPTER XVII 

CANDLE-MAKING — THE NEW CART 

C ANDLE-MAKING to-day ! ” eagerly exclaimed 
the boys when they rose next morning ; and they 
gave me no rest till I promised to attempt to 
make candles of the wax-plant berries. 

We filled a saucepan, and placing it over the fire, pro- 
duced in a little time a considerable quantity of beautiful 
green wax. While melting the berries, we prepared a 
number of wicks from threads of sailcloth, dipped them 
quickly and carefully in the wax, then hung them in the 
air to dry. This operation we repeated two or three 
times, till the wicks had taken sufficient wax to form 
candles, which although they were far inferior in round- 
ness and size to those at home, threw around us such a 
clear, bright light that we were overjoyed with the result. 

There would be no occasion now for us to go to bed 
at sunset, for this light would serve us in our tree-castle 
apartment in a most convenient manner. 

[ ' 4 °] 


CANDLE-MAKING — THE NEW CART 


This success encouraged me to make an attempt of 
another description. Among the articles on board ship 
we found no churn, and I therefore resolved to try a 
plan, a description of which I had read. I chose the 
largest of our calabash bottles, and after filling it half full 
of cream, closed it tightly. I then placed four stakes in 
the ground, tied to them a piece of sailcloth by the four 
corners, and laid the bottle upon it. At each side I sta- 
tioned one of the boys and desired him to roll it back- 
wards and forwards, by alternately raising the cloth so as 
to keep it in constant agitation. This performance proved 
capital fun, and the boys kept it up with jokes and laugh- 
ter for more than half an hour, when I opened the bottle 
and found to our great joy that some really good butter 
had been churned. 

Another and much more difficult undertaking, which 
for a long time had seemed impracticable, was on my 
mind. The sledge was not only inconvenient but very 
heavy for our animals to draw, and as we had brought 
four cart wheels from the wreck, I wished to construct 
a little cart. 

I determined to try what I could do, and after some 
difficulty succeeded in constructing a sort of carriage, 
which, though not elegant in appearance, would, I knew, 
be very useful. 

In the meantime my family at Tent House were em- 
ployed daily in planting the European fruit trees which I 
had brought from the wreck. The vines were placed near 
the arched roots, for they required air and a shady place ; 
but the oranges, citrons, shaddocks, and pistachio nuts, 
[141] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


the mulberries, medlars, olives, cherries, and other fruits 
containing kernels, were planted on the way to the bridge 
over the Jackal River, where they could obtain light and 
warmth. 

I wished also to make the rocks at Tent House a 
kind of fortification, as all our ammunition lay there. 
I resolved, therefore, to choose two slight elevations 
near the river on which to fix the two cannon from 
the pinnace, and also to plant a thick hedge of thorns 
around the whole spot. 

These engagements employed us for six weeks ; but 
the hard work had completely worn out our clothes, and 
this, with other important reasons, made me consider it 
necessary to return once more to the wreck. I wished, if 
possible, to bring away one or two more of the cannon, 
to place on the heights of our fortification. 

On the first fine day I set out in the pinnace for the 
wreck, with the three older boys. We found everything 
as we had left it, but the wind and waves had loosened 
the beams and damaged the powder casks. The sailors’ 
chests were in tolerably good condition, and these we 
placed on board the pinnace, as well as a box containing 
a quantity of ball and shot, and two small cannon. 

On the second trip we towed our tub boat behind the 
pinnace, quickly loading it with planks, doors, window 
shutters, locks and bolts, and as many other precious 
things as we could possibly carry. At last, when it 
seemed as if we had plundered the wreck of every useful 
article, I resolved to blow it up with gunpowder, in the 
hope that the wind and the waves would cast on shore 
[ 142 ] 


CANDLE-MAKING — THE NEW CART 

wood and beams, as well as other articles suitable for 
house-building which were too heavy for us to bring away 
in our boats. I had discovered a large heavy copper 
caldron, which I thought might be saved, and I attached 
it to two empty casks strong enough to support it when 
launched into the sea. 

When ready to start, I rolled a powder barrel into the 
hold of the ship, fastened to it carefully the end of a 
fusee, and after lighting it, sprang into the boat, where 
the boys were already seated, and with outspread sail 
hastened towards the shore. 

We had scarcely reached the bay when a roar as of 
majestic thunder resounded from the rocks, and at the 
same moment a brilliant column of fire, rising into the 
air, announced that my plan had succeeded. A feel- 
ing of sadness came over me ; it seemed as if the last 
tie that bound us to our dear home was broken. And 
when my wife and Frank, in great alarm, met us as 
we landed, she and the boys seemed overcome with 
the same sad feeling. It was as if we had lost in 
the ship an old and dear friend. 

A night’s rest enabled us to shake off all feelings of 
regret, especially when we saw that the beach was strewn 
with wooden planks and beams, while on the sea near the 
shore floated broken fragments of all descriptions and 
among them the copper caldron, between the two casks 
to which I had fastened it. Many days were employed in 
collecting all these useful articles, in piling them on the 
shore, and in covering the powder casks with earth and 
moss till we could store them at Tent House. 

[143] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


My wife, in assisting us with the wreck, made the 
agreeable discovery that two of our ducks and one goose 
had each hatched a brood and were leading their noisy 
young families to the water. This reminded us of our 
domestic comforts at Falcon’s Nest, and we determined 
to defer the rest of our work at Tent House and to 
return the next day to our shady summer home. 

On our way I observed that the newly planted fruit 
trees were beginning to droop, and I resolved to proceed 
to Cape of False Hope the next morning to cut bamboos 
to make props for them. We therefore set out the next 
day in high spirits, and I led my household by the newly 
discovered road to the plantations of potatoes, Manihot, 
and cassava roots through which Fritz and I had passed, 
and at length reached the bird-colony tree and the spot 
where I had been entertained with the performances of 
the Canadian grouse. 

The wax-berry tree soon came in sight, and the boys 
eagerly gathered berries enough to fill two sacks, which 
were stowed away safely in a spot we should pass on our 
way home. When we reached the india-rubber tree I 
made several incisions in the bark, from which the gum 
oozed freely and soon filled all our little vessels. These 
also were left for our homeward journey, and we con- 
tinued to advance till we reached the coconut wood, and 
leaving it on the left, presently arrived at an open spot 
situated between the grove of sugar canes and the bam- 
boo bushes, which lay at a little distance beyond. Here 
we paused to admire a beautiful landscape which lay 
stretched out before us. On our left was the sugar-cane 
[ 144] 


CANDLE-MAKING — THE NEW CART 

grove, to the right the bamboos, and before us a splen- 
did avenue of palm trees ; Cape of False Hope could be 
seen beyond, stretching out into the deep sea. 

We felt inclined to remove from Falcon’s Nest and 
take up our abode here, but the safety of our night castle 
in the great tree, and other advantages which we enjoyed 
at Falcon’s Nest, made us decide to remain at the dear 
old home. 

We determined, however, to make a halt for our mid- 
day meal. The animals were unharnessed from the cart 
and set at liberty to graze on the rich pasture, and we 
produced from our store of provisions enough for a slight 
repast for ourselves, then set to work to cut down and 
tie together bamboo and sugar canes, in bundles of a size 
suitable for placing on the cart. The boys cast longing 
eyes on the coconuts, and Fritz and Jack attempted to 
climb the trees ; but the trunk was too large and too 
smooth for them, and sliding to the ground, they meas- 
ured with discouraged eyes the height of the smooth 
and polished stem. 

In this dilemma I produced rough pads of the shark’s 
skin, and after fastening them to their arms and knees, 
told them to try again, as the rough surface would enable 
them to rest and take breath while clinging to the stem 
with their knees. 

Fritz and Jack made the attempt and soon reached the 
crown of the tree. Each took an ax from his leathern 
girdle and struck so bravely the clusters of coconuts that 
they fell to the ground like hail. The boys were almost 
beside themselves with delight, and coming down, received 

[145] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


our congratulations that this wonderful gymnastic per- 
formance had turned out so well. 

Ernest, who had not taken part in it, was soon seen climb- 
ing a tree on which no fruit grew. In response to a laugh 
from his brothers he took his ax from his girdle and with 
one or two strokes cut off the large, delicately formed leaves 
from the crown. " I have thrown down to you a beautiful 
palm cabbage,” he cried, "twenty times more agreeable 
to eat than coconuts. This tree is the vegetable palm.” 

" The boy is right,” I exclaimed as I examined a leaf, 
"and it is very wholesome food. It grows on the top of 
the tree.” Ernest had asked the loan of a coconut shell 
from his mother before going up, and when he descended 
to the ground he drew a small flask from his pocket and 
poured from it into the empty shell something which he 
presented to me, saying, " It is palm wine, sir.” 

"You are right,” I replied, "and I drink to your 
health and the success of your discovery.” 

As the day was now far advanced, we resolved to re- 
main for the night in this charming spot and to build a 
little cabin of branches and leaves to protect ourselves 
from the cold wind and the dew. I had brought with me 
a piece of sailcloth, with which we could cover our little 
hut and protect it from the night air. 

While thus engaged we were startled by the extraor- 
dinary behavior of the ass. He was grazing peacefully 
near the spot, when suddenly he began to spring and 
leap, raising his nose in the air as if he were in the 
midst of fire and flame, then, uttering a dreadful he-haw, 
he started off at full gallop. Unfortunately the dogs 
[ 146] 


CANDLE MAKING — THE NEW CART 


were absent, and the ass disappeared among the bam< 
boo bushes while we were summoning them. We fol- 
lowed for a long distance but with no success, and 
further search was deferred till the morrow. 

This circumstance alarmed me, for I could only ac- 
count for the poor animal’s excitement by the probable ap- 
proach of wild beasts. I determined that, after gathering 
dry grass and moss for our beds, large fires and torches 
should be lighted to surround our cabin. These torches 
were easily made of dry sugar canes about five or six 
feet long, which gave a brilliant light and would continue 
burning for many hours. 

We laid ourselves down on the soft beds of grass and 
moss which the boys had collected, with loaded guns close 
at hand in case of danger. For a time I kept awake to 
replenish the fire and keep the torches lighted, but as 
hour after hour passed and no wild beasts appeared, I 
gradually sank into a refreshing sleep and did not wake 
till the mother announced that breakfast was ready. 

During this meal we laid our plans for the day’s work. 
I had hoped that the night fires and lights would have 
attracted the donkey to return ; but as he did not appear 
I resolved to take one of the boys and the two dogs and 
search for the fugitive through the bamboo grove, return- 
ing to the hut before evening. To Jack’s great delight 
I chose him for my companion, and as the dogs were 
to go with us, left the older boys to protect their mother 
and little Frank and also to collect sugar canes, palm 
wine, and coconuts, that we might return to Falcon’s 
Nest on the following day. 

[ 147 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


With the help of the dogs we were able to follow the 
donkey’s tracks till they led us to the shores of a large 
bay into which flowed a pleasant river, the promontory to 
our right forming its boundary by a ridge of rocks. 

We climbed the cliffs and found, to the left on the 
other side, a rushing river which overflowed its banks. 
Its bed was so deep and the rush of its waters so rapid, 
that we found with difficulty a place we could venture to 
wade through. I was glad to discover the print of hoofs, 
but as the marks became more numerous some were 
larger than others and of a different shape, and as we 
went on I imagined I could discern, quite in th^ distance, 
a herd of animals. 

All traces of the hoofs of the ass were lost in the grass, 
but I resolved to approach these unknown animals as 
closely as possible, to find out if the fugitive was in their 
company. They moved on, grazing on the river banks, 
and we followed, concealed by the grove of canes through 
which we passed. 

At last, after struggling through this grove, we came 
suddenly upon a herd of buffaloes, grazing within a dis- 
tance of about thirty or forty paces. The dogs were within 
call, and the buffaloes, unaccustomed to the sight of human 
beings, merely stood still and stared at us wonderingly. 

This circumstance no doubt saved our lives, for we had 
time to load our guns and to draw back a little, as I had 
no wish for an affray with such formidable beasts. We 
were about to retire cautiously and prudently, when the 
dogs unfortunately reached the spot and were seen by 
the buffaloes. 


[148] 



I 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


Instantly they began to bellow, paw the ground with 
their feet, and lower their horned heads in preparation 
for an attack. I saw with a shudder that they were about 
to attack the dogs, who, fearless of danger, threw them- 
selves boldly upon a young buffalo half a dozen paces in 
advance of the others, and seizing it by the ears, dragged 
it towards us. With beating hearts. Jack and I raised our 
guns and fired. The noise, the flash, and the smoke 
were like a thunderclap to the terrified beasts, and to our 
great joy they turned and fled. One only remained — a 
female, and evidently the mother of the young buffalo 
which our dogs had seized. 

She had been wounded by the shot from my gun, and 
the pain made her so furious that she lost all fear, and in 
her eagerness to save her calf, threw herself upon the 
dogs, whose fate would have been sealed had I not 
quickly raised my gun and with a second shot brought 
her to the ground. After this I felt able to breathe again, 
for we had indeed been near death ; and eagerly I praised 
Jack for his presence of mind and for being so ready 
with his gun. Yet we had still work before us, for the 
young buffalo struggled violently and fought with his feet 
so fiercely that I feared he would injure the dogs ; and 
yet I knew not how to help them. 

Jack, however, bethought himself of his sling, which he 
drew from his pocket, and swung so skillfully round the 
animal’s hind legs that it fell to the ground ; we were 
then able to approach nearer and tie the legs together 
and also to release its ears from the hold of the dogs. 

There was now but one way in which we could hope to 
[ IS°] 


CANDLE-MAKING — THE NEW CART 


lead our captive home, for I hoped to tame him after a 
time, as he was evidently very young. I made the dogs 
hold down his head while with a sharp penknife I pierced 
a hole through the nostril, passed a string through it to 
form a leading rein, then untied his legs and set him at 
liberty, still holding the rein. He attempted at first to 
escape, but the pain caused by the string in his nostril 
checked him, and at length he not only allowed himself 
to be led but followed me in the most docile manner. 

I was anxious to carry away portions of the flesh of the 
dead buffalo, not forgetting to cut out the tongue, which, 
when salted, is considered a great delicacy. We left the 
rest for the dogs, who fell upon it with eager appetite ; 
but their feast was soon interrupted by a flock of vultures 
and other birds, who approached from all points and 
struggled with them for the prey ; and as neither side 
would give way, they all commenced eating together with 
extraordinary voracity. I recognized among the birds the 
royal vulture and the condor, the latter having a strange 
outgrowth on the upper part of his beak. Jack longed to 
send a few shots among them,, but I restrained him, for I 
knew that birds which feed on carrion are not good for food. 

I became anxious now to reach home, and as it was too 
late to search farther for the ass, we proceeded directly to 
the palm grove, where the family were no doubt anxiously 
awaiting us. 

The poor buffalo, to avoid the movement of the cord in 
his nostrils, which gave him pain, followed so tamely that 
we were able at last to lay our booty on his back and, after 
a little trouble, induce him to carry it without opposition. 

[IS^] 



CHAPTER XVIII 


THE BABY JACKAL 

r^EFORE reaching the palm grove we met with 
another strange adventure which must be related 
here. While between the river and the ridge of 
rocks, in a narrow defile, a jackal started out of its hole 
in front of us. Both dogs flew at it instantly, and though 
it fought desperately it was quickly overpowered. The 
animal’s courage convinced me that it was a mother 
defending her young. I allowed Jack to creep into the 
dark place, from which he soon emerged, bringing in 
his arms a handsome cub of a beautiful gold-yellow color 
and about the size of a small cat. 

I readily acceded to his request that he might take it 
home and tame it, bringing it up, as he said, to follow 
him like a dog and be useful in the chase. 

During this affair I had tied the young buffalo to a 
tree, which I found was a dwarf vegetable palm with 

[' 5 ^] 


THE BABY JACKAL 

sharp-pointed leaves, and which, if planted thickly at 
Tent House, would form an excellent hedge for our 
fortifications. 

We found our way back to the road, but night was 
approaching before we reached the palm grove, where we 
were received with shouts of joy. Question after question 
had to be answered when they saw our buffalo and the 
baby jackal as well as the store of provisions we had 
brought. Jack described our adventures in a most spirited 
manner, and was listened to with such eager curiosity 
that I had scarcely time before supper to ask what 
they had all been doing in our absence. 

They informed me at last that they had visited Cape 
of F'alse Hope, gathered wood for the night, made new 
torches, and cut down a large palm, which they believed 
to be the sago palm. Fritz had discovered a young eaglet, 
which Ernest pronounced a Malabar, or Indian, eagle. 
As these birds are easily tamed, he hoped to train him 
to bring down birds in the chase like a hawk. 

During their absence, however, the hut had been in- 
vaded by a troop of monkeys which had drunk up all the 
palm wine from the calabash bowls, scattered the pota- 
toes, stolen the coconuts, and so damaged the hut that 
my young people, on their return from the hill, were 
more than an hour employed in repairing it. 

The young buffalo was fed with potatoes softened in 
milk, and to our great satisfaction the cow received him 
in a most friendly manner when we tied him up near her. 
Jack gave his little jackal some bread and milk, and the 
dogs having taken their posts as watchers, we lighted the 

[ 153] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


torches, intending to wake at the proper time and relight 
them if they went out. But on laying ourselves down to 
rest, we were in a short time too soundly asleep to be 
disturbed till sunrise by any such arrangement. 

After a light breakfast I was about to give the sig- 
nal for starting, when I observed that my young people 
had some project in their heads which rendered them 
unwilling to leave so early. 

" What is this secret ” I asked my wife. 

"The boys," she replied, "are anxious to remove the 
pith from the fallen sago palm before it is spoiled, and 
Fritz fancies we could make of the trunk two pipes or 
channels to conduct the water from the Jackal stream to 
Tent House. This, by enabling us to water our plants in 
the dry weather, would be a great advantage to us." The 
suggestion pleased me greatly, and we made ready to 
carry it out ; but the work required patience as well as 
activity, and with all our efforts we could not get the task 
completed till after sunset. It was necessary, therefore, 
to remain for another night in our wooden cabin. On the 
following morning we rose early, and without loss of time 
made preparations for carrying our. newly acquired posses- 
sions to Falcon’s Nest. 

I was glad to find the wound in the nostrils of the 
buffalo nearly healed, for I hoped to harness him to our 
little carriage, in the place of the ass, with the cow. He 
submitted without resistance, and when I went before and 
led him by the string through his nose I was thankful to 
see that the poor animal was already brought into sub- 
jection, so as to perform his task willingly. We passed 
[ 154] 


THE BABY JACKAL 

the places where we had left a sack of wax berries, and 
some calabash cups containing the gum from the india- 
rubber tree ; these had to be stowed away in the cart, and 
I sent Fritz and Jack on before with one of the dogs. 
They went quickly forward and entered a grove of guava 
trees at a little distance in advance of us. 

A most terrible noise suddenly reached our ears, caus- 
ing great alarm. I made ready my weapons and flew to 
the assistance of my children, but on arriving at the spot, 
saw Jack lying at full length on the ground between the 
shrubs. On seeing me he exclaimed : " O papa, how 
absurd ! It is our old sow again ; she must do it on pur- 
pose to make fools of us. We wondered what the dog 
was barking at, and now look here ! ” Half inclined to 
be angry and half amused, I heard the familiar grunting 
and stepped among the bushes. There, sure enough, lay 
our sow, looking very happy, with six or seven little pigs 
seemingly a few days old. We left with her some pota- 
toes, acorns, and biscuit, and continuing our horneward 
journey without further interruption, reached Falcon’s 
Nest in safety. 

Our first care was to arrange for the newly arrived 
guests. We were still obliged to tie up the young buffalo 
and the little jackal, and even the stately eagle was con- 
demned to the same hard fate. Fritz gave him a place 
on a fig-tree root, not far from the parrot, who was still 
tied by the leg ; but rather thoughtlessly he had given 
the eagle a long string which enabled him to move to 
a great distance, and then unfortunately uncovered his 
eyes. In a moment the bird became so wild and furious 

[iss] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


that our domestic animals fled from his presence, and the 
poor parrot, who could not escape, was devoured before 
we could prevent it. 

Fritz would have killed the bird at once, had not 
Ernest begged for his life. " Give me your eagle,” he 
exclaimed. " I will bring him up to be as tractable and 
tame as a little dog.” Fritz would not give up his eagle, 
but he promised to make Ernest a present of Master Nip, 
the monkey, if he would tell him how to tame the eagle. 

” I accept the offer,” replied Ernest, ” but I am not 
quite sure that it will succeed with an eagle as it does 
with parrots in America. Light a pipe and blow some of 
the tobacco smoke up his nose till he is giddy and intoxi- 
cated ; his wild and savage nature will be calmed from 
that moment.” 

Fritz laughed incredulously, but Ernest persuaded 
him that at least it was worth a trial, and a pipe and 
tobacco were brought from the officer’s chest. Fritz 
placed himself in front of the bird and smoked such 
puffs under his nostrils that he became completely stupe- 
fied and stood immovable on his perch ; and from that 
day his fierceness vanished. Fritz gave the monkey to 
his brother, with increased respect for the boy who 
knew so well how to put in practice what he had read. 

The next morning I rose early, with the intention 
of carrying out the project so long, decided upon; 
namely, the planting of bamboo canes as a support 
to the young trees on the road from Falcon’s Nest to 
Tent House. Our work began almost as soon as we 
left Falcon’s Nest, at the entrance to the road to Tent 
[156] 


THE BABY JACKAL 

House, with the walnut, chestnut, and cherry trees. 
These had been planted in rows and were already 
much bent and curved by the wind. 

I, being the strongest, dug holes in the ground with the 
handspike ; and in each of these holes the boys placed a 
bamboo cane, tying it as a prop to the delicate stem of 
the tree. The conversation naturally turned upon the best 
manner of raising trees, and the boys overwhelmed me 
with questions to which I could not always give correct 
answers. 

Are the trees that you have planted here wild or 
tame, papa .? ” asked Fritz. 

"Ha, ha, ha ! ” laughed Jack. "Just as if people could 
tame trees as they can buffalo calves and bustards ! " 

"You are very clever. Master Jack," replied Fritz; 
" but all wild creatures should be tamed ; and such 
mocking birds as you require a ring through the nose, 
like the buffalo ! " 

"Now that is too bad ! " said Ernest. 

"Be it known to you, most learned people," I ex- 
claimed, " that Fritz asked me a correct question, but he 
did not use the right terms ; he should have said ' wild ’ 
and ^cultivated' plants, not 'wild’ and dame! Few living 
creatures exist that cannot be tamed in some way ; and 
among human beings, even those that we call wild, or 
savage, are clever by nature and possess minds which can 
be improved by instruction, as plants are by cultivation 
and grafting." 

" What is grafting, papa } " asked Fritz. 

" Grafting," I replied, " is inserting a little twig of a 

[ 157] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


superior sort on the stem of a tree that grows wild. It 
takes place in those knots, or boles, which lie between 
the bark and the wood. They are often called ' eyes ’ 
and can be seen plainly in timber. In all cases of graft- 
ing this knot is used, and the new twig attached to it. 
They then grow together, and better fruit is produced.” 

” That is very wonderful,” remarked Ernest. "But 
where do people get the branches of good trees to graft 
upon the wild ones ? ” 

" What we call in our home ' superior ’ trees grow 
wild in some climates,” I replied, " because the earth 
and the air are adapted to them. Many of the most 
valuable fruit trees of northern Europe grow without 
cultivation in the south of Europe and Asia, and others 
in more distant parts of the world. Crab apples, for in- 
stance, grew wild in England in the time of the Romans, 
and in that country no other fruit was then known but 
common nuts, crab apples, and blackberries. By grafting 
from foreign trees on the crab apple and also on the 
common nut and blackberry, most of the beautiful apples, 
filberts, strawberries, and raspberries have been produced. 
It is the same in our country.” 

" Can you tell us, papa,” asked Ernest, " where all the 
different fruit trees came from .? ” 

" I think I can tell you the homes of a few trees. 
Walnuts came originally from Persia, and hazelnuts 
from Pontus in Asia.” 

"But cherries, papa,” interrupted Jack. " I hope they 
may be natives of Europe and perhaps of our own 
country.” 


[^58] 


THE BABY JACKAL 

” No, my boy,” I replied. ''Those you have seen 
have been brought from other lands. They are named 
cherries after Cerasus, a town of Pontus in Asia, from 
which place they were first imported.” 

We made great progress while thus conversing and 
reached the end of our fruit-tree avenue very quickly. 
After crossing the bridge over the Jackal River, we 
entered the plantation of our southern fruit trees, which 
I also wished to strengthen by placing bamboo-cane 
supports. 

Here had been planted lemons, pomegranates, pis- 
tachio nuts, mulberries, pineapples, and other tempting 
fruits, the sight of which made us long for the time 
when they would bear. 

"But, papa,” exclaimed Jack, "what about apples 
They seem to be natives of Germany and Switzerland.” 

" They came originally from foreign lands, and apple 
trees are found even in the cold climates of northern 
Europe and Asia. No fruit is more likely to be im- 
proved by cultivation than the apple ; and where it ob- 
tains proper soil, pure air, and sunlight, it is brought to 
great perfection.” 

At noon we returned to Falcon’s Nest, as hungry as 
wolves, just as the mother had prepared for us a most 
excellent dinner, consisting chiefly of the cabbage palm. 
We dined with good appetites, and while resting I took 
the opportunity of speaking on a subject which, for a con- 
siderable time, had occupied my mind and the mother’s. 

We had often found it difficult to mount to our sleep- 
ing chamber by the rope ladder. An accident might easily 

[ 159] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


happen, for the boys often mounted recklessly, and for 
ourselves a single false step might cause a fall. It seemed 
to me that a wooden staircase might be contrived in the 
interior of the large trunk of our tree. 

" Did you not tell me, wife,” I said, ” that in the trunk 
of this tree you had discovered a hole through which 
bees were passing } ” 

''Yes,” she replied, ” and it is evidently hollow beyond 
the point at which I have seen the bees enter. If hollow 
to the foot of the tree, it will help you greatly to carry 
out your project.” 

This idea of a staircase so excited the boys that they 
danced about the tree and climbed like squirrels as high 
as they could reach, to discover from the sound how far 
down the cavity extended, by knocking against the trunk 
with ax and hammer. But this daring performance cost 
them dearly. The noise so disturbed the bees that a 
swarm of them rushed out and furiously attacked the 
children with their stings. They rested in their hair, on 
their clothes, and even pursued them as they fled in 
terror and pain. Jack, who with his usual daring had 
been the first to reach the hole, was terribly stung, and 
his swollen and inflamed face was a piteous sight. 
Their mother laid cool, moist earth on the wounds, but 
nearly an hour passed before the pain was sufficiently 
appeased to enable them to join me in a more careful 
examination of the tree. They were so full of resent- 
ment against the heroic bees that they were quite pre- 
pared to assist in an attack upon them, and I knew 
that something must be done quickly to prevent my 
[i6o] 


THE BABY JACKAL 

young people from disturbing me with their groans and 
complaints. 

While the still restless and angry bees were buzzing 
around the tree, I prepared certain materials with which 
I hoped to calm without destroying them. I collected 
tobacco, clay, a pipe, a knife, a hammer, and all else that 
I thought necessary. My first care, however, was to make 
for the bees a new hive, and after finding a large cala- 
bash gourd I flattened the lower half, that my beautiful 
little bee castle, when finished, might stand firmly on a 
piece of board nailed to a branch of the tree. I then cut 
a small arched opening in front for a doorway, and hav- 
ing made a straw roof to place over it as a protection 
against sunshine and rain, my beehive was complete. 
This work occupied more time than I had anticipated ; 
I was therefore obliged to put off the assault on the bees 
till the next morning. 

The impatience of the young people roused us all at 
an early hour, and I began my undertaking by stopping 
up the hole in the tree, through which the bees passed in 
and out, with moist clay, only leaving room for me to 
introduce my piece of hollow cane, which was to serve 
as a tobacco pipe. I then covered my head with a piece 
of linen and began smoking. 

After a while, when all was still, Fritz climbed to my 
side with chisel and ax, and we cut away a portion of the 
tree about three feet square, — except for one corner, 
by which I allowed it to adhere, — while I again smoked 
both inside and outside the tree till the bees were stupe- 
fied. The piece of the tree which had been cut away was 

[i6i] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


then removed, and when the light entered I discovered 
that the trunk was hollow from the ground to the floor of 
our sleeping chamber. It was clear that we could build a 
winding staircase with ease. 

We were filled with delight at the beautiful work of 
the bees and could scarcely find basins and bowls for so 
large a supply of honey and wax. I removed the bees to 
their new hive and without losing time set to work on 
our staircase. 

With the help of my boys I cleared away all the 
decayed wood that remained in the hollow trunk of the 
tree and carefully cleaned the sides of the interior as far 
up as we could reach. In the center was placed, upright 
and firmly fixed in the ground, a strong beam about a 
foot in thickness and ten or twelve feet high, around 
which I fixed my staircase in the form of a spiral. 

The entrance of the tree, which I had enlarged, formed 
a window and gave us sufficient light for our work. To 
the first beam we added a second as the steps rose 
higher, then a third, and finally a fourth to enable us to 
reach our sleeping room without using our rope ladder. 
A rope was now introduced and fastened to the outside 
of the steps, for us to hold by as we ascended. My 
winding stairs were then complete, and, if not exactly 
in accordance with the rules of architecture, were yet 
solid and convenient. We thought them superb. 

While our staircase was building. Floss presented us 
with six little pups, two of which, a male and female, we 
kept. Jack had had great difficulty in feeding his young 
jackal, and strange to say, this good-natured mother 
[162] 


THE BABY JACKAL 

allowed us to replace her lost ones with this little 
stranger, giving her milk to it as kindly as to her own. 

At about this time, also, our goat had two little kids, 
and the sheep five lambs. We saw our flocks increase 
with pleasure ; but fearing that these useful animals 
might, like the ass, be tempted to leave our protection, 
we tied to the necks of the goat and old sheep some little 
bells brought from the wreck, which, if they wandered, 
would help to put us on their track. 

Next to the staircase, the most important work I had 
in hand at this time had been the training of the young 
buffalo as a beast of burden, to supply the place of the ass. 
The wound in his nose was quite healed, and by placing 
a small stick through the orifice, after the manner of the 
Hottentots, I could lead and guide him as easily as horses 
are led by a bit in the mouth. He had readily submitted 
to be harnessed with the cow in drawing a load, but I 
wished also to teach him to carry burdens on his back. 

I began by making for him a broad girth of the skin 
of the dead buffalo ; then, from time to time, bound vari- 
ous heavy articles upon it; and when at last the basket 
usually borne by the ass was put upon his back he 
performed his task willingly. 

Fritz meanwhile had not neglected the training of his 
eagle. He ‘taught him to bring down birds and other 
small prey, holding him in leash like a falcon and always 
rewarding him with some of the game. But, while the 
eagle had learned to obey him, Fritz was afraid to give 
him his freedom, and he could not yet be trusted near 
the poultry yard. 


[163] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


Ernest, seized also with the fever of education, endeav- 
ored to regulate the capricious movements of the little 
monkey, but for a time with little success. Helped by 
Jack, he constructed a small cane basket to fasten upon 
Nip’s back with a strap about his shoulders. The restless 
animal objected greatly at first ; but partly by force and 
partly by rewards of nuts or other tempting morsels he 
was conquered and would carry a load that was, for him, 
really heavy. 

Jack, in turn, became anxious to train his jackal, to 
which he had given the name of Hunter. The little ani- 
mal had grown considerably since the old dog Floss took 
so kindly to him, and would play with the puppies in the 
most amusing manner. 

Jack had given him the name of Hunter, hoping to 
make a pointer of him and teach him to discover the 
game without killing it ; and though for the first six 
months the animal made little progress. Jack did not 
despair of success. 

While my boys were thus occupied I had been also 
busily employed. Among other wants, candle-making was 
very urgent, as our present store, which had lasted a long 
time, was nearly exhausted. 

Jack had proposed that we should use the hollow of a 
bamboo cane as a mold, but it appeared to me that in 
drawing the candle out of the mold I should injure it. 
I therefore divided the cane first and placed the wax in- 
side the two halves, which, being tightly bound together, 
held it till it became firm. 

Another difficulty arose, for our prudent housewife 

[.64] 


THE BABY JACKAL 


objected to the use of our handkerchiefs and cotton neck- 
ties for wicks. I attempted to supply the place with thin 
strips of touchwood and also, at my wife’s suggestion, 
with the threads of the karata leaves ; but after repeated 
experiments the decision was in favor of the old cotton 
wicks, much as we might wish to dispense with them. 

After our candle-making experiments, I tried my skill 
in the manufacture of boots and shoes from the sap of 
the caoutchouc tree. 

Filling a pair of my stockings with sand, I covered 
them with a thin coating of clay and dried them in 
the sun. Then, with a brush made of goat’s hair, I 
laid on three coats of the melted caoutchouc to obtain 
a proper thickness and hung the shoes in the sun to 
dry and harden. 

When, after an hour or two, the caoutchouc had solidi- 
fied, I threw out the sand and removed first the stocking 
and then the clay, leaving a pair of boots so useful and 
shapely that my boys begged me to make each of them 
a pair of the same sort. 

One thing I was anxious to do at once, for the children 
often grew tired of drawing water from the river for our 
domestic use. 

By lengthening the sago-palm trunks which had been 
made channels to conduct water from the bay to Tent 
House, I found that it could be brought to Falcon’s Nest, 
the shell of the turtle serving for a basin as we had long 
ago proposed. 

It was needful, however, to support the shell fountain, 
and stones cemented with clay were used to raise it to a 
[i6s] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

proper height and hold it in its place. In front I arranged 
a calabash bowl to receive the overflow. 

Thus day succeeded day ; we had no time to be idle 
nor to lament our separation from our old home and the 
society of mankind. Each of our discoveries or inven- 
tions was hailed with delight by the boys, and my wife 
and I gave thanks to God for so visibly blessing our 
efforts to make life pleasant in this strange land. 


[i66] 



GRIZZLE’S NEW FRIEND 

W E WERE busily engaged one morning in 
completing a handrail to our staircase, when a 
strange and unusual sound like the roar of a 
wild beast was heard at a distance ; yet I could form no 
opinion as to the animal from which the sounds proceeded. 

Leaving the rest of the family in our castle in the tree, 
Fritz and I descended in anxious expectation, with loaded 
guns and our dogs close at hand. Suddenly Fritz, casting 
aside his gun, rushed forward, and bursting into a laugh, 
exclaimed, "It is the donkey, papa ! poor Grizzle !” 

"He could hardly have made so much noise alone," I 
said ; and following Fritz, I came first upon the truant 
ass, and then, at a little distance, upon an animal evi- 
dently of the same race, but of a far more graceful form 
and almost as elegant in its movements as a horse. I 
recognized it as the onager, or wild ass, and at once cast 
about for some means of making it my prisoner. 

[167] 


GRIZZLE’S NEW FRIEND 


Warning Fritz not to make the least noise, I crept 
cautiously to the place where the animals had stopped to 
graze. I then tied a slipknot in one end of a piece of 
cord and fastened the other end to one of the roots of 
the tree, placing a small stick in the knot to keep it open, ^ 
so that when thrown it would close round the animal’s 
neck and hold him. 

In addition to this I made a sort of cleft stick, the 
ends of which I tied together crosswise, so as to form in 
the smaller part a pair of pincers, and attached strings 
to the upper ends by which I could draw it together or 
loosen it as I pleased. 

The unconscious animals had in the meantime wan- 
dered by degrees nearer to the place where we stood ; 
with a caution to Fritz, I gave him the loop end of the 
rope, and we advanced as far as the length of the cord 
would allow. 

The creature sprang back at our sudden appearance, 
— ours were probably the first human faces he had ever 
met, — but as Fritz did not move, he began to graze 
again ; and the boy, holding a handful of oats, gradually 
approached our friend Grizzle. 

Without a moment’s hesitation the ass came eagerly 
forward, and the stranger, unable to control his curiosity, 
followed to share the tempting morsel. 

Then with great dexterity Fritz threw the noose so 
that the knot closed about the animal’s neck as he 
started back with a bound, and in a moment he fell to 
the ground as if suffocated. 

I rushed quickly to loosen the string, threw over his 

[i68] 



THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


head the halter belonging to old Grizzle, and placed on 
each side of his nose the lower ends of the cleft stick, 
with which I could, by pulling the strings at the upper 
ends, compress the nostrils and make him submit to my 
will, as farriers curb a restive horse. 

After removing the noose and tying two long pieces of 
rope to the strings which compressed the pincers on the 
left and right of the nostrils, I fastened the end of each 
to the nearest tree roots and left him to recover himself 
and show by his behavior whether anything more was 
necessary to overcome and tame him. 

In the meantime the rest of the family had hastily 
descended from the tree and stood, with wonder and 
delight, admiring the beautifiyl stranger. He was of a 
slighter build than the ass and far superior in appearance, 
yet the creature evidently partook of the nature of both 
the horse and the ass. 

He suddenly sprang to his feet with the evident deter- 
mination to escape, but the pain caused by the pressure 
on his nostrils when he moved damped his ardor, and he 
at last became so quiet that I ventured to lead him to 
the sheltered tree roots, which for the present served us 
for stables. Here I tied him by a long string attached to 
the halter, which gave him room to move about and yet 
be near us and in safety. 

That the truant ass might not wander from us so easily 
in future, I also placed him in the stable, tied by a halter 
near the wild ass, making old Grizzle a prisoner for a few 
days as well as the onager. I wished to accustom the 
newcomer also to the fodder eaten by our animals. 
[170] 


GRIZZLE’S NEW FRIEND 


We found it no easy task to train our onager. Priva- 
tions and blows were resorted to with little effect, and I 
was finally driven to adopt a plan which seemed both 
cruel and repulsive, but which traders in the wilds of 
North America practice when they capture horses, namely, 
to bite the ears. 

This accomplished my purpose, and in a few weeks 
our captive could be ridden with tolerable safety. I man- 
aged to contrive a kind of noseband, with reins by which 
a rider could guide his steed as he pleased. 

A triple hatching in the poultry yard put in our pos- 
session forty little chickens, which ran about in all 
directions. 

This reminded me again of the necessity of contriving 
a more convenient place of shelter for our animals and 
feathered folk before the rainy season, which I knew 
could not be far distant. 

I decided upon a more suitable covering over the 
arched roots of our tree, the space underneath being a 
sleeping and roosting place. To do this we interlaced bam- 
boo canes over the arches of the roots, filled the crevices 
with moss and clay, and covered all with a mixture of tar 
and limewater, thus making a flat, solid roof on which we 
could safely walk. Around it we placed a low railing. 

We had set out one evening to gather a store of pota- 
toes, and on our return I proposed to my wife that she 
should go on with little Frank while the boys and myself 
continued our way to the oak grove for some acorns. 
Ernest had with him his little monkey, and Fritz proudly 
sat on the tamed onager. 


[ 171 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


On reaching the spot we fastened the steed, which the 
boys had named Lightfoot, and were hastily gathering 
the acorns, when the ape with a sudden spring dashed 
into a thicket, and the frightened scream of a bird with 
the rush and flapping of wings showed that some dweller 
in the bushes had been disturbed by Master Nip. 

Ernest, the first to reach the spot, exclaimed joyfully : 
'' Papa, here is a nest full of eggs ! The ape is strug- 
gling with the bird, but I can hold him while Fritz takes 
her prisoner.” 

They returned in a few moments, Fritz bringing in his 
arms a fine Canadian heath fowl similar to the one he 
had shot, and Ernest with his girdle stuck full of leaves, 
sharp pointed like a dagger and belonging, I thought, to 
a plant called the sword lily. 

Holding out his hat, Ernest exclaimed : ” Look, papa 1 
These are the eggs of the Canadian fowl. How pleased 
mamma will be ! ” 

” But these leaves, Ernest — what are they for .? ” 

” Oh, I put them here to carry home to Frank, to play 
at soldiers with. They are just like swords.” 

We finished our work, placed our sacks on the onager’s 
back, and turned our steps homeward to Falcon’s Nest — 
Ernest with the precious eggs in his hat, Fritz between' 
the sacks on the onager, while I had patiently undertaken 
to carry the heath fowl. 

The mother managed so cleverly as to induce the fowl 
to sit again upon her eggs, and in a few days exhibited 
to us fifteen little Canadian chicks. 

A day or two later, as Frank was playing with the 
[ '72 ] 


GRIZZLE’S NEW FRIEND 


leaves of the sword plant, Fritz said, Let me make you 
a whip of the leaves before they decay ; it will help you 
to keep the sheep and goats in order ; but you must split 
the leaves for me before I can braid them ! ” 

Struck by the flexibility of the fibers, I examined them 
more closely, and though it was a mere conjecture, told 
my wife that I thought they might belong to the Phor- 
mmm tenax — the New Zealand flax. 

" Oh,” she said, ” what a discovery ! It is the best you 
have ever made. Get me a leaf ! If it proves to be flax, 

I can make stockings, shirts, 'and all sorts of wearing 
apparel.” 

I moderated her zeal a little by reminding her that 
even if it were flax, the leaves were not yet made into 
linen, nor had we enough for that purpose. 

At this Fritz and Jack silently disappeared, and I pres- 
ently saw them riding away, one on the wild ass and the 
other on the buffalo. But they soon returned, bearing 
before them on their steeds immense bundles of the flax ^ 
plant, which they placed before their mother. 

"You have done well,” I said, "in bringing your 
mother so much work. We must all help her to prepare 
the flax, and first it must be steeped.” 

" Steeped, papa .? That will take a fire.” 

"No,” I replied; "flax-steeping is performed by air, 
sun, and water or at least moisture. The plants must 
^tay in water until they decay so that the fibers separate. 
The soft ones are thus removed, and the tough, flexible 
ones, which do not so soon decay, can be made fit for 
spinning.” 


[173] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

'' In a climate like this, would not Flamingo Marsh be 
a good place for steeping the flax ? ” asked my wife. 

We all approved of her proposal, and on the following 
morning the ass was harnessed to the little wagon and 
the bundles of flax laid upon it, while Frank and Master 
Nip rode between, on the seat. On arriving, the bundles 
were laid in the water with heavy stones to keep them 
from coming to the surface. 

After a fortnight we spread the flax in the sun to dry, 
and a single day accomplished this so thoroughly that 
we were able to take it in the cart to Falcon’s Nest the 
same evening. 

Warned by frequent showers and a sky covered with 
clouds of the approach of the rainy season, our next care 
was to gather a store of potatoes and Manihot, or cas- 
sava roots ; nor were coconuts and acorns despised. We 
missed more than anything the wheaten flour which had 
made our bread in the fatherland, and all the seeds of 
grain that remained in the mother’s bag had been sowed 
in the hope that the rainy season would cause them to 
germinate and produce an abundant crop by spring. 

Before our arrangements were completed the first 
storm came upon us in torrents. It was impossible for 
us to remain in our sleeping apartment, and we took 
refuge in the hollow trunk with whatever provisions we 
had at hand. Our homely dwelling was so crowded that 
we could scarcely move, and the smell from the stables, 
the lowing and clucking of the animals, and the suffocat- 
ing smoke when we attempted to light a fire made our 
situation almost unbearable. 

[ 174] 


GRIZZLE’S NEW FRIEND 


These difficulties were overcome by degrees. The ani- 
mals were moved farther away, and by piling up articles 
on the winding staircase we made room enough to work 
during the day and lie down at night. Cooking was dis- 
pensed with as far as possible, both to spare us the tor- 
menting smoke and to save our dried wood in case of 
colder weather. 

On the evening of the first day Fritz and I, in spite 
of the rain, had to search for the animals and bring them 
to shelter under the arched roots as well as to obtain for 
them the necessary food. Before I slept, I determined to 
discover some other means of passing the winter if the 
weather would enable me to venture out ; but no change 
took place for nearly a week, and during that time we 
could only subsist on the acorns, coconuts, cold meat, 
and potatoes that we had brought to our retreat. 

We had hay enough for the animals at present and a 
stock of grain for the poultry, and I decided that when 
we were unable to supply them with sufficient food they 
must be turned adrift to forage for themselves. 

A slight change in the weather gladdened my heart, 
for it enabled me to make some little improvements in 
our habitation and with the help of Fritz to bring a store 
of provisions from Tent House. The animals being in 
the spaces under the arched roots, we had the hollow 
trunk of our tree to ourselves, and by the time the rainy 
season really set in we were becoming reconciled to our 
position. 

Fortunately the winter was not cold as well as wet, yet 
my wife considered it necessary to contrive some outer 

[■ 75 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


covering to protect Fritz and myself from the rain when 
we made excursions on account of the animals or to 
obtain stores from Tent House. 

She found in one of the sailor’s lockers two canvas 
shirts, to which she sewed hoods to cover our heads, and 
over which we spread layers of caoutchouc which ren- 
dered them completely waterproof. 

While using our hollow tree as a refuge from the 
weather, we were still actively employed. Fritz and Jack 
taught little Frank to read ; my wife occupied herself 
with her needle ; while I began a journal of the events 
which had occurred since the shipwreck, and the story 
of our lives in this foreign land. This, however, was 
regarded as a pastime, and my frequent recourse to the 
memory of the others, with the questions and discus- 
sions that arose from it, gave us all great enjoyment. 
My work during these dark wintry days consisted in 
making coarse and fine carding combs for the work 
the mother had in prospect when the weather should 
make it possible to dry the flax and prepare it for her 
first experiments in spinning. 


[•76] 



SPRING DAYS AND THE SALT CAVERN 

TTT IS impossible to describe our joy when, after so 
many long weeks of confinement and privation, we 
J-L again gazed on the clear sky and the bright sunshine. 
The sorrows of the winter were forgotten. We felt our- 
selves inspired with new hope, and the work which lay 
before us in the summer hours seemed in our gladness 
but child’s play. 

The land we had cultivated was flourishing. Our tree 
plantation was in excellent condition. The seeds were 
springing up, and the trees were putting forth their 
young leaves of delicate green. The ground was covered 
with flowers of every hue, their sweet fragrance filling 
the air; while birds of the most brilliant plumage made 
the woods resound with song. 

We began our work at the castle in the tree, for the 
rain had greatly damaged the sailcloth roof, and dead 

[177] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

leaves had drifted into our sleeping apartment. The 
stalls of the animals under the arched roots were also 
damaged, as well as the staircase in the trunk. While 
Fritz and I were repairing these, Ernest and Jack turned 
the animals out to graze upon the soft green grass. 
My wife reminded me of the flax, which required beat- 
ing, combing, and carding before it could be spun or 
woven. 

"You will probably find Tent House no less injured 
by the rain than this,” she added ; " and while you and 
the older boys are absent I can stay here with little Frank 
and spin the flax, for you are sadly in need of clothes.” 

" But what will you do for a spinning wheel and a 
spindle .? ” I asked. 

" Oh ! ” she replied, " I expect you to make them. 
After building rooms and staircases, ladders and carts, 
you will find little difficulty, I am sure.” 

By dint of study and perseverance, I did contrive to 
turn to account one of the lightest of the wheels I had 
brought from the wreck and straps from the skin of the 
dead buffalo. The boys prepared the steeped flax, and 
we left, as my wife suggested, all that would be required 
for a new supply of clothing. 

The damage done at Falcon’s Nest could not be com- 
pared to the destruction at Tent House. Storm and rain 
had overthrown the tent, torn the sailcloth covering, and 
so completely soaked the stores of provision that most 
of them would have proved useless had we not quickly 
placed them in the sun to dry. Fortunately the well-built 
pinnace had sustained no injury, although the tub boat 
[178] 


SPRING DAYS 


was entirely broken up and two of the three powder casks 
were so thoroughly soaked as to be useless. 

This latter circumstance led me to consider how I 
might contrive winter quarters where such disasters could 
not occur ; and my mind turned to the bold project of 
Fritz — to hew out a cave in the rocks. This, with the 
tools and strength at our disposal, seemed impossible, ex- 
cept as the work of several summers ; but I determined to 
hew out a cellar for our powder casks, and while the mother 
was still occupied with her spinning, I set out one morn- 
ing with Fritz and Jack to make a beginning of the work. 

Making choice of a spot where the face of the rock 
appeared smooth and steep and from the top of which 
could be had a most extended view of Deliverance Bay, 
I marked with charcoal the outline of an opening, and 
we took upon ourselves the office of stone breakers. 

The first day’s progress was so slight that I despaired 
of being able to complete even a common cellar before 
the time of another rainy season. But on the following 
day we set to work with renewed vigor, and found the 
rock much softer ; we had penetrated only to a distance 
of about seven feet, when Jack, who was trying to bore a 
hole with a large handspike, cried out: am through, 

papa ! I am through ! ” 

” Through what, my boy.? You are certainly not 
through the mountain.” 

” Yes, I am ! Hurrah, hurrah ! ” 

“He is right, papa,” said Fritz; ” indeed he is right. 
The iron spike has gone right through into an open 
space, for I can turn it round as I like.” 

[179] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

Seizing the handspike, I worked it about with such 
force that an opening was soon made large enough for 
one of the boys to slip through ; but as I approached 
it a puff of foul air rushed out, and for a moment I 
was almost overpowered. "Come away!” I cried; "to 
breathe the air from that opening would be certain 
death.” 

I explained to my boys that under certain circum- 
stances carbonic-acid gas accumulated in caves such as 
this appeared to be, rendering the air unfit for respira- 
tion. I sent them to collect some hay, which I lighted 
and threw in. It was immediately extinguished, even 
after I several times repeated the experiment, and I saw 
that we must resort to other measures. 

We had brought from the wreck a box of fireworks 
intended for signals, and some of these being brought, I 
threw them into the cave and scattered a train of gun- 
powder about them. Retiring to a little distance from 
their lighted fuses, we watched the result. A great ex- 
plosion followed, and a torrent of the gas rushing out was 
replaced by pure air. We sent in a few more rockets, 
which flew around like fiery dragons and ended in a 
shower of stars. This concluded our fireworks, and I 
then made a trial of the lighted grass, which showed 
that all danger was over. 

I sent our active little Jack to Falcon’s Nest to tell 
his mother of our joyful discovery and bring her and 
his brothers back with him and also some of our wax 
candles, that we might explore together this wonderful 
vault. 


[ i8o] 


THE SALT CAVERN 


In about an hour they arrived in our state carriage, 
or, more properly speaking, potato cart, and we entered 
the grotto, each bearing a lighted wax candle. Fritz 
provided himself with a tinder box in case the candles 
should go out, and I led the way, feeling the ground 
with my feet. 

In spite of their curiosity the boys and their mother 
followed rather fearfully ; and our dogs, who were also 
of the party, showed by their timid, uneasy manner that 
they did not altogether approve of the position. 

We had not advanced very far, before the appearance 
of the grotto startled us with its wonderful beauty. The 
lights that we carried were reflected on the walls in 
golden light, the columns which rose from the floor to 
the vaulted roof sparkled and glittered in all the colors of 
the rainbow, and crystals hung from the roof in fantastic 
forms. The floor was covered with soft fine sand that 
showed no trace of dampness. 

I recalled descriptions I had read of salt mines in 
Poland, and breaking off a bit of the crystal, I found 
that we were in a cavern of crystallized rock salt, not the 
least advantage of which would be that both ourselves 
and our cattle would now be provided with a never- 
failing supply. 

Our admiration of the cavern, as we penetrated further, 
knew no bounds. Plan after plan was proposed for mak- 
ing it useful, and our inventive powers were newly excited 
by this fresh opportunity for their exercise. 

It was decided that Falcon’s Nest should continue to 
be our summer residence and sleeping quarters, but that 

[ ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


the entire day was to be spent at Tent House while we 
were preparing a winter home at our rock castle. 

Openings were first hewn out of the rock for admitting 
light and air, and the door and windows we had brought 
from the wreck were transferred from Falcon’s Nest. 
The immense space was then divided into separate apart- 
ments. At the right of the entrance were to be our 
living and sleeping rooms, and at the left the kitchen, 
workshop, and stables. The smaller division, which was 
so deep in the cave that no windows could be made in 
it, I determined to use as cellars, storehouses, and maga- 
zines. I hoped by degrees to supply the necessary doors, 
as well as other additions needful for a comfortable 
dwelling house. 

Our residence at Tent House revealed several advan- 
tages which we had not foreseen. Turtles came ashore 
to deposit their eggs in the sand, and from their flesh 
we had many a sumptuous meal. When more than one 
appeared at a time, we used to cut off their retreat to the 
sea, and turning them on their backs, fasten them to a 
stake driven close to the water’s edge, by a cord passed 
through a hole in the shell. We thus had a fresh turtle 
always within reach, for they throve well and were in 
as good condition after several weeks as others freshly 
caught. Lobsters, crabs, and mussels also abounded on 
the shore. And this was not all. 

On returning from Falcon’s Nest one morning, we 
were attracted by a most curious phenomenon. The 
waters out at sea were agitated by some unseen move- 
ment, and as they heaved and boiled, struck by the beams 
[182] 


THE SALT CAVERN 


of the morning sun, seemed illuminated by flashes of fire. 
Over the water where this disturbance was taking place 
hovered hundreds of birds, screaming loudly or darting 
downward and plunging beneath the water. 

Suddenly this extraordinary mass advanced to the bay, 
and we found the phenomenon to be caused by a shoal 
of herrings, many leagues in extent and several feet deep. 

We had no leisure time, however, to admire this 
charming sight, for it was necessary to catch as many 
fish as possible, now that we had the opportunity. 

I therefore made out a list of the duties to be per- 
formed by each of us. 

Fritz was to gather the fish in nets and throw them 
into baskets on the shore — easily done, on account of 
the immense numbers swimming about ; Ernest and 
Jack were to prepare and clean them, while the mother 
sprinkled salt over each ; and little Frank was to lend a 
helping hand to all. 

I took upon myself the task of pickling the herrings 
and placing them in casks, which required the greatest 
care. 

This occupied us several days, at the end of which time 
a dozen or more barrels of excellent salted provision were 
secured against the winter’s need. The refuse, which we 
threw into the sea, attracted a number of sea dogs ; and 
we killed several for the skin and for the oil, which 
we knew would be useful to burn in the ship lanterns 
during the winter. 

The bladder of the dogfish served for another purpose. 
I found an empty sailor’s chest, in the sides of which I 

[•83] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

bored holes, and putting into it heavy stones, sank it in 
the stream, where it formed a pot for crabs and lobsters, 
drawn by the attractive bait of the dogfish’s bladder. 
This contrivance obtained for us a constant supply, the 
chest being secured by a chain. I also formed an inclos- 
ure for herrings, by means of which I quickly peopled 
our fishpond. 


[184] 



THE WINTER HOUSE IN THE GROTTO 

TTEST a change in the weather should come before we 
expected it, we resumed the work of fitting up our 
JJi=^ rock castle. I found on closer inspection that the 
crystallized salt of the cavern had for its base a species 
of gypsum. 

Breaking off several pieces and carrying them to the 
fireplace at Tent House, I heated them red hot and then 
reduced them to powder, which when mixed with water 
made a beautiful white plaster. 

My first attempt at plastering was the covering of the 
sides of two of the herring barrels, to exclude the air 
from the cracks. The other casks I left as they were, 
for I intended to preserve their contents by smoking. 

To do this, the boys and I built a small hut of reeds 
and branches and strung our herrings on lines stretched 
across the interior, then lighted a fire of moss and brush- 
wood, which threw out a dense smoke and in a few days 
perfectly cured the fish. 


[185] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


About a month after the appearance of the herring, we 
were favored by a visit from other shoals of fish. Jack 
espied them first and called to us that a lot of young 
whales were off the coast. We ran down and discovered 
the bay swarming with great sturgeon, salmon, and trout, 
all making for the mouth of Jackal River to deposit their 
spawn upon the stones. 

Jack ran for his bow, and arrows armed with fishhooks, 
a skein of packthread, and two bladders of the dogfish. I 
watched with surprise as he fastened the bladders to one 
end of his arrow and to the other a long string, the end 
of which he fixed to a stone on the shore, then shot 
his arrow into the body of a large salmon. 

’'Well done ! ” cried his brothers. The fish struggled 
to escape, but was held to the shore by the string and 
floated by the bladders until we drew him on shore and 
put him out of his misery. 

This success roused us all. Fritz went for his har- 
poon ; I made my appearance, like N eptune with his 
trident — mine being a hayfork ; and Ernest provided 
himself with large hooks and a line. 

Our greatest difficulty was the landing of our booty. 
Fritz struck a sturgeon at least eight feet long, which 
resisted our united efforts till the buffalo was brought and 
harnessed to the line. Nor was it a light matter to pre- 
serve our fish. Some we dried and salted ; some my wife 
boiled in oil, to serve us for our dinner ; and the roes of 
the sturgeon, a huge mass weighing not less than thirty 
pounds, I laid aside to prepare as caviar, a favorite dish 
in Holland and Russia. 


[ i86] 




THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


The air bladders of the fish I cut in strips and dried 
in the sun for isinglass. This is all that is required to 
prepare this very useful glue. It becomes hard, and 
when wanted for use is dissolved over a slow fire. Ours 
proved to be so clear and white that I determined to 
use it for windowpanes, in place of glass. 

In this beautiful climate little or no attention was nec- 
essary for the kitchen garden ; the seeds sprang up and 
flourished with apparently not the slightest regard for 
time or for the season of the year. Peas, beans, wheat, 
barley, rye, and Indian corn seemed to be constantly 
ripening ; while cucumbers, melons, and all sorts of other 
vegetables grew luxuriantly. The moisture caused by the 
heavy rains had no doubt produced this result, helped by 
the stream of water constantly flowing through our palm- 
tree pipes from the Jackal River. 

At a little distance from the garden was a sugar-cane 
plantation in flourishing condition, and the anana roots 
which we had transplanted promised to yield us an ample 
store of this incomparable fruit. I was encouraged to 
hope that the experiments at Falcon’s Nest had proved 
equally successful, and we started one morning to visit 
the spot. On our way we passed the large field in which 
the mother had sown the European grain after the pota- 
toes had been taken from the ground. 

In one part was barley, in another wheat ; and farther 
on we saw rye, peas, millet, and field beans in such pro- 
fusion that I owned to the magic of the mother’s bag. 

'' The harvest of the maize field has begun already, has 
it not ? ” I asked, as half a dozen Canadian fowl and an 

[i88] 


THE WINTER HOUSE IN THE GROTTO 

immense flock of smaller birds rose in the air, alarmed by 
our approach, while to complete the number of unbidden 
reapers two kangaroos with tremendous leaps escaped in 
safety from our dogs. 

Fritz released his eagle, which he always carried 
perched on his game bag, uncovered his eyes, and threw 
him aloft after one of the fugitives ; then springing 
quickly on the back of the onager, he followed his pupil 
with the swiftness of an arrow. 

The Canadian fowl shrank in terror from his enemy 
and at last sank to the earth, where the eagle pounced 
upon him, and would in a moment have made an end 
to his life had not Fritz been close at hand to save him. 

On arriving at Falcon’s Nest we complained of the 
heat and our thirsty condition, and the mother offered 
us a new and most refreshing drink which she had pre- 
pared from Indian corn. This, after being crushed and 
diluted with water to clean it, was strained through a 
sieve and sweetened with the juice of a sugar cane. This 
drink was refreshing and as agreeable and nourishing 
as milk. 

The remainder of the day was spent in securing seed 
grain for another year’s sowing and in making prepara- 
tion for a little excursion, to secure wood for a boat, 
which had been proposed for the following day. 

It was a project of my wife to establish self-sustaining 
^colonies of our animals at some distance from Falcon’s 
Nest, where they would be secure and would find sus- 
tenance. Twelve young fowls, four pigs, and two pairs 
each of sheep and goats were accordingly spared from 
[ 189] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


our stock for this purpose and placed in the cart for 
the ass and buffalo to draw, with provisions, tools, and 
other utensils. 

Fritz rode before on Lightfoot to reconnoiter as we 
took our way to a part of our domain which had not yet 
been explored. We had the usual difficulty at first in get- 
ting through the high grass, and had frequent recourse 
to our hatchets till we reached the opposite end of the 
wood, where we saw before us an open plain on which 
grew numbers of small bushes. They seemed to be cov- 
ered with snowflakes, if that had been possible, and I was 
not surprised when little Frank cried out, " O mamma, 
look ! it has been snowing.” Fritz put his steed to the 
gallop and presently returned, bringing me a branch 
loaded with beautiful white down, which, to my joy, I 
found to be cotton. 

It was a discovery of inestimable value to us, and 
gathering all that could be contained in three capacious 
bags, we continued our journey, which, after crossing 
the cotton field, took us to the summit of a pretty wooded 
hill. The view was glorious. Luxuriant grass at our 
feet stretched down a hillside dotted here and there with 
shady trees among which a bright, fresh brook rippled 
over a rocky bed, while below lay the rich green forest 
with the sea beyond. 

What better situation could we hope to find for our 
new stock farm } Pasture, water, shade, and shelter — 
all were here. We pitched our tent, built a fireplace, and 
leaving the mother to prepare our repast, began the 
erection of our shed. 


[ 190] 


THE WINTER HOUSE IN THE GROTTO 


The trees I chose for this purpose stood in a parallelo- 
gram, or long-sided square. The longest side, facing the 
sea, consisted of three trees — one at each corner and 
one near the middle. In the trunks of these, at about 
ten feet from the ground, I cut notches, as also in three 
at the back, which grew nearly opposite. The notches in 
the back were but eight feet from the ground, and beams 
placed across from front to back formed a sloping roof. 

Having fastened the beams with nails, I made a rude 
roof of bark, cut in squares and fastened with the thorny 
spikes of the acacia, which we found growing here. Our 
nails were too precious for lavish use. 

With wild vines and flexible reeds I wove together 
four outer walls to the height of about flve feet, and in 
the open space above made trelliswork to give entrance 
to air and light. Separating walls divided the apartment 
into two unequal parts — one of which contained the 
stalls for the cattle and a place shut off with palings 
for the fowls, and the other, sleeping apartments for 
ourselves when we should need to pay the place a visit. 

The trees which had served for our rude building 
were new species to my boys, and I took occasion to 
explain their value. 

''From the fir,” I said, "we get turpentine and tar; 
so we may look forward to preparing pitch for our yacht 
with tar and oil, and cart grease with tar and fat. You 
will not, perhaps, so well appreciate this terebinth tree. 
It yields a transparent gum, which when burned gives 
forth a most delicious perfume and when dissolved in 
spirits of wine forms a beautiful varnish." 

[■91] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


The instinct of our goats detected various kinds of 
bark, among which was that of the cinnamon — not, per- 
haps, equal to that of Ceylon, but fragrant and agreeable. 

Of the nature and origin of these substances and the 
uses to which they could be applied I had to furnish 
lengthy explanations, for I wished to foster the interest 
of my young people in extending their knowledge. 

To accustom the sheep, goats, and fowls to their new 
home, we took care to fill the feeding troughs daily, not 
only with their usual food but also with salt and other 
favorite provender, both morning and evening. 

I had calculated that this undertaking would be finished 
in three or four days ; but at the end of a week, as we 
were not ready to leave our new establishment, I sent 
Fritz and Jack to Falcon’s Nest to obtain a fresh supply 
of provision for ourselves and the animals. 

The messengers took with them the ass to draw the 
cart in which to pack our provisions, and the onager and 
buffalo for riding horses. They started in good spirits, 
and with a light touch of the whip induced old Grizzle 
to accompany them at a brisk trot. 

During their absence Ernest and myself made a short 
excursion in the neighborhood to learn more of the coun- 
try adjacent to our farm. Crossing a brook, we reached 
a large marsh covered with the rice plant, growing wild 
in great luxuriance ; and a little farther on Master Nip 
made a sudden dart into a thicket, where I found him 
regaling himself with strawberries that were not only 
quite ripe but of an aromatic flavor resembling that of 
the anana, or pineapple. 

[ 192] 


THE WINTER HOUSE IN THE GROTTO 

Having refreshed ourselves with them, we filled the 
monkey’s basket, covering it with a thick layer of leaves, 
lest it should please Master Nip to overturn and dispose 
of his burden. I also pulled some of the rice, that we 
might ascertain whether it would serve us as food. 

Continuing our walk, we came presently to a tiny lake 
which we had already admired from a distance. A num- 
ber of black swans were gliding in stately tranquillity 
upon it, their graceful forms mirrored in the dark-blue 
waters. The sight was so charming that I could not 
allow my hunting propensity to disturb its serenity. But 
Floss had no such scruples. She observed a strange 
movement in the water, sprang in, and quickly reappeared, 
dragging with her a curious little animal of a soft brown 
color, the fur of the under part of the body being of a 
lighter shade. Its feet were furnished with large claws 
and were also completely webbed ; the head was small, 
with deeply set eyes and ears, and terminated in a broad, 
flat bill, like that of a duck. 

We laughed at its droll appearance, and for want of a 
better, gave it the name of the " Beast with a Bill.” I 
have since learned that it was the duck-billed platypus. 
Ernest willingly undertook to carry it, that it might be 
kept and stuffed as a curiosity. 

After this we returned to the farm, thinking rightly 
that our messengers might soon arrive ; and sure enough, 
in about a quarter of an hour Fritz and Jack made their 
appearance and gave an account of their mission. 

I was pleased to see that they had not only carried out 
all my directions and commissions but had also brought 

[ 193 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

with them other articles which they judged would be 
useful in completing my plans. 

We provided amply for the animals and on the next 
morning left the farm, which we had named " Wood 
Grange,” for a new excursion. 

After walking a short distance we reached a wood 
and were received by an enormous number of apes, 
which kept up a series of the most unearthly cries and 
pelted us with a perfect hailstorm of pine cones. It was 
only by firing our guns, loaded with small shot, that we 
could disperse our assailants. 

Fritz picked up one of the cones, and I recognized it 
as that of the stone pine. "Gather some,” I said, "by 
all means. You will find that the kernel has a pleasant 
taste, like that of the almond, and by pressing we can 
obtain from them an excellent oil.” 

When this had been done, we left the wood of apes 
and fir trees, and soon drew near to Cape of False Hope. 
The view from the summit of the little hill was so beauti- 
ful that I decided to make another establishment here. 
The work was far easier to us now, in consequence of 
our experience at Wood Grange, and in six days we had 
a pretty little cottage on what, at Ernest’s suggestion, 
we called " Prospect Hill.” 

Much as we had done, the end for which our expedi- 
tion had been planned was yet unfulfilled. I had not 
met with a tree which suited me for making a boat. 

We returned to the wood for a closer inspection of 
the trees, and I fixed upon a sort of oak, the bark of 
which was closer than that of the European oak and 
[ 194] 


THE WINTER HOUSE IN THE GROTTO 


resembled more that of the cork tree. The trunk was at 
least five feet in diameter, and I fancied that its coating, 
if I could obtain it whole, would perfectly answer my 
purpose. I marked a circle at the foot and with a small 
saw cut the bark entirely through. Fritz attached the 
rope ladder, which we had brought with us, to the tree, 
and sawed a similar circle eighteen feet above mine. We 
then cut out perpendicularly a slip of the whole length, 
and after removing it, had room to insert the necessary 
tools for loosening the whole bark. 

It was a difficult matter to sustain it as we did so, and 
then to let it down gently to the grass ; but we succeeded, 
and I began my boat while the material was fresh and 
flexible. 

From each end of the roll of bark I cut a wedge- 
shaped piece about five feet long and closed the edges 
with pegs and strong glue, so that they formed a point 
at each extremity, like a savage’s canoe. Having, by so 
doing, widened it too much in the middle, we put strong 
ropes around and drew it into the form we desired. This 
was all that I could do without other tools, and I dis- 
patched Fritz and Jack for the sledge, — which now ran 
upon wheels from a gun-carriage, — that the canoe might 
be transported to the vicinity of Tent House. During 
their absence the boat was drying in proper shape, and 
I found some naturally curved wood, just suited for ribs 
to support and strengthen the sides. 

When the lads returned with the sledge it was time 
to rest for the night, but with early dawn we were again 
busily at work. 



CHAPTER XXII 

FRANK AND THE CALF 

W E PLACED our canoe on the sledge and 
loaded it with all that it would hold. At the 
bamboo swamp I cut a fine mast, and passing 
on, we came to a small opening or defile in the ridge of 
rocks, where a little torrent rushed from its source down 
into the larger stream below. Here we made a halt to 
erect an earth wall across the gorge, which, being thickly 
planted with prickly plants, promised to make in time an 
effectual barrier against the intrusion of wild beasts, the 
cliffs being, to the best of our belief, in every other part 
inaccessible. For our own convenience we retained a 
winding path, concealed and defended with branches 
and thorns. 

Though we reached Tent House some time before 
sunset, we were too tired to proceed with our boat that 
night. It was with renewed energy, however, that we 
[ 196] 


FRANK AND THE CALF 

set to work next morning, and the boat was soon ready 
to launch. 

It was lined with wood and furnished with a keel. 
We found among our possessions brass rings for the 
oars, and stays for the mast. Instead of ballast I laid at 
the bottom a layer of stones covered with clay, and over 
this a flooring of boards. The benches for the rowers 
were placed across, and in the middle rose the bamboo 
mast with its triangular sail. 

For greater security I had a couple of air-tight bags 
made from the skins of the dogfish, well tarred and 
pitched. These I inflated and made fast on each side 
of the boat, just above the level of the water. These 
floats would prevent either the sinking or the capsizing 
of our little craft, however much she might be loaded. 

I may as well relate in this place what I omitted at 
the time of its occurrence. During the rainy season 
our cow presented us with a bull calf, and that there 
might be no difficulty in managing him, I pierced his 
nostril at a very early age and placed in it a stick, to 
be exchanged for a ring when he should be old enough. 
The question now arose how and by whom he should 
be trained. 

’'Let us teach him,” said Fritz, "to fight with wild 
animals and defend us, like the fighting bulls of the 
Hottentots.” 

"I cannot understand,” said the mother, "why there 
should be fighting oxen in any country.” 

"The natives of South Africa,” I said, "dwell in a 
country infested with wild beasts. To protect their flocks 

[ 197 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


and herds they place their trained oxen in charge of the 
rest, and wonderfully do they perform their office. 

” At the slightest appearance of danger the courageous 
animals lead all the rest to a spot of pasture and group 
them in a circle, the young calves and weaker cattle being 
inclosed in the center. The fighting oxen then place 
themselves outside, and with raised heads and projected 
horns, face the enemy. Their loud bellowing is enough, 
at times, to alarm their foes ; but they will often nobly 
sacrifice their lives for the protection of the flock. 

"In olden time, it is said, warlike tribes would place 
these champions as a vanguard of their armies, and not 
seldom was victory gained by their heroism." 

The boys were delighted with this account, but they 
all agreed that our little bull need not be trained to 
such exceptional service. Yet he required teaching, and 
who should do it ? Ernest had enough to do with his 
monkey; Jack had his buffalo and young jackal; Fritz 
was satisfied with his onager and eagle ; so there only 
remained little Frank with nothing to teach. 

"Well, little man," I said, "will you undertake the 
teaching of the calf.?" 

" Oh, yes, papa! I’m not a bit afraid," he replied. 

I advised him to use kind measures, as best likely to 
succeed with all animals. "But, Frank," I said, " what 
name shall you give him .? " 

" Oh, I shall call him Grumbler, for he can’t bellow 
yet and only makes a noise like grumbling." 

On hearing this the boys began to discuss the ques- 
tion of names for their own pets. Jack proposed to call 
[ 198] 


FRANK AND THE CALF 


his buffalo '' Storm.” ” It would be so grand,” he said, 
” to hear them say, ' Here comes Jack riding upon the 
Storm.’ ” 

This joke produced laughter, but there could be no 
objection, and the name was fixed upon. To the two 
puppies we gave names in accord with their color — 
Brown and Fawn. 

For two months we worked steadily at our salt cave in 
order to complete the necessary arrangement of partition 
walls, so as to put the rooms and stalls for the animals in 
comfortable order for the next long rainy season, during 
which time, when other work would be at a standstill, we 
could carry on many minor details for the improvement 
of the abode. We first leveled the floors with clay, then 
spread gravel mixed with melted gypsum over that, pro- 
ducing a surface which did very well for most of the 
apartments ; but I was ambitious to have one or two car- 
pets and set about making a kind of felt in the following 
way. I wetted a piece of sailcloth with fish glue and 
spread it on the ground. Over this we scattered hair and 
wool as evenly as possible, and then rolled up the cloth, 
beat it with sticks, stamped on it with our feet, and 
worked at it with all our strength till the hair was 
thoroughly mixed. 

Happening to awake unusually early one morning just 
after these labors at the salt cave were completed, my 
thoughts turned to the length of time we had now passed 
on this coast, and to my surprise I discovered that the 
very next day would be the anniversary of our escape 
from the wreck. My heart swelled with gratitude to the 

[ > 99 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


gracious God who had then granted us deliverance, 
and who had ever since loaded us with benefits ; and I 
resolved to set the morrow apart as a day of thanksgiv- 
ing, in joyful celebration of the occasion. 

"My dear ones,” I said that evening at supper, "pre- 
pare yourselves for a great festival ; to-morrow will be a 
day never to be forgotten. It is the anniversary of our 
arrival on the island.” 

" Is it possible } ” exclaimed my wife. " Have you not 
made a mistake in your reckoning } the time appears 
so short.” 

"No, my dear,” I replied ; "we were wrecked on the 
thirty-first of January. I discovered this by the almanac 
of last year, which I found on board. I have marked off 
in every week since, the Sundays as they arrived, till the 
end of December. Thirty-one days have gone by since 
that date, and to-morrow, therefore, will be the first of 
February, the anniversary of the day in which we so 
mercifully reached this island. My bookseller has not 
sent me an almanac for this year,” I added with a laugh, 
" so I was obliged to keep a regular daily account.” 

" Ah, papa ! ” exclaimed Ernest, " did you have a long 
pole and make a notch in it for every day, and longer 
ones for weeks and months, like Robinson Crusoe .? ” 

"No, my boy,” I replied, laughing; "but I think his 
was a very good plan.” 

After we had retired to rest I heard the boys talking 
over the festival for which they had been told to prepare, 
and some little secret seemed to be the subject of con- 
versation. Now and then they spoke in whispers. At 
[ 200 ] 


FRANK AND THE CALF 


break of day on the following morning, we were startled 
by the report of a cannon and rushed from our sleeping 
room in the tree, filled with the greatest astonishment, 
scarcely believing we had heard aright. 

But I noticed that Fritz and Jack were absent, and I 
heard Jack exclaiming as they ascended our staircase, 
" Did we not rouse them from sleep quickly with our 
thunder .? ” 

Perceiving at a , glance that we had been seriously 
alarmed, Fritz hastened to apologize. 

" Forgive us, papa ! we thought that such a day of 
rejoicing as the anniversary of our deliverance from ship- 
wreck should be welcomed with a salute of cannon.” 

We understood the feelings which had influenced the 
boys and accepted the intended honor to the day for 
which we had such reason to be thankful. 

We sat and rested for a long time after breakfast, talk- 
ing over our plans for the day, one of which was to visit 
our salt cavern, and there make a beginning by recording 
in my daybook the date of our happy deliverance. 

I then read a chapter in the Bible, and we sang a few 
hymns, and afterwards knelt to offer up our heartfelt 
thanks to God for his mercies in the past year and im- 
plore his aid and protection for the future. I was anxious 
to impress upon my children that we owed our present 
comforts, and even our lives, to the blessing of God on 
our endeavors. 

The mother informed us that she intended to honor the 
day by giving us a holiday dinner of the most precious of 
our stores ; and when we had enjoyed it with thankful 
[201 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


hearts I said : '' Now, children, we will spend the re- 
mainder of the day in joyful amusement. You must dis- 
play your gymnastics, and, like the combatants of ancient 
times, struggle for the highest honors. Your mother and 
I will be the spectators and will recompense the winners 
with the prizes of victory. This shall be the order of pro- 
cedure : first, firing with gun and pistol. And here is a 
mark for you,” I said, producing a board roughly shaped 
like a kangaroo and of about its size. This target was 
much admired, but Jack was not satisfied till he had 
added ears, and a long leather strap for a tail. Each of 
the three competitors was to fire twice. Fritz hit the 
kangaroo’s head each time ; Ernest hit the body once ; 
and Jack, by a lucky chance, shot the ears away from 
the head, which feat raised a shout of laughter. 

A second trial with pistols ensued, in which Fritz 
again came off victor. 

Then, desiring the competitors to load with small 
shot, I threw a little board as high as I could into 
the air, each in turn aiming at and endeavoring to hit 
it before it touched the ground. 

In this I found to my great surprise that Ernest suc- 
ceeded altogether as well as his more impetuous brother 
Fritz. As for Jack, his flying board escaped wholly 
uninjured. 

After this followed archery, which I liked to encour- 
age, foreseeing that a time might come when ammunition 
would fail ; and I saw with pleasure that my elder sons 
were really skillful, while even little Frank acquitted 
himself well. 


[ 202 ] 


FRANK AND THE CALF 


A pause ensued, and then I started a running match. 

Fritz, Ernest, and Jack were to run to Falcon’s Nest 
by the most direct path. The first to reach the tree was 
to bring me, in proof of his success, a penknife I had 
accidentally left on the table in my sleeping room. 

At a given signal, away went the racers in fine style. 
Fritz and Jack, putting forth all their powers, took the 
lead at once, running in advance of Ernest, who started 
at a good steady pace which I predicted he would be 
better able to maintain than would his brothers so furi- 
ous a rate. 

Long before we expected to see them back, a tremen- 
dous noise of galloping caused us to look with surprise 
toward the bridge ; and Jack made his appearance, thun- 
dering along on his buffalo, with the onager and the 
donkey tearing after him riderless, and the whole party 
in the wildest spirits. 

'' Halloo ! ” cried I, '' what sort of foot race do you 
call this. Master Jack ? ” 

"They are coming, papa,” replied the boy, springing 
to the ground. " Your humble servant gave up running 
from the first. I knew I had no chance when I saw 
Ernest coming along at such a steady pace. And when 
he and Fritz turned to come back, I mounted Storm, to 
get here first, but Lightfoot and Grizzle followed us 
without being invited.” 

While Jack was talking, Fritz appeared, and fifty paces 
behind came Ernest, holding the penknife in triumph. 

"How is it you have the knife, Ernest,” I said, 
" when Fritz has arrived in advance of you .? ” 

[203] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


” I reached Falcon’s Nest just two minutes before he 
did, papa,” replied the boy; ”but I believe he would 
have been the winner if he had not started off so 
rapidly. How long have we been ? ” 

"Fifty minutes,” I replied, "and it generally takes 
me an hour and a quarter to go from here to Falcon’s 
Nest and back, by the shortest way; so I consider that 
you and Fritz have done well, and you are the winner 
by two minutes.” 

" Anything more to win, papa } ” asked Jack. 

"Yes; when you have all rested, there must be a 
climbing match,” I replied. " The pads are here in 
readiness for you.” A few minutes’ rest sufficed, and 
then I was astonished to notice the agility of Jack. He 
climbed the tree like a squirrel and completely eclipsed 
his two brothers. 

But in riding Fritz carried off the palm, although Jack 
was not far behind him. He rode and galloped on the 
onager without saddle or stirrups ; he even jumped off 
while his steed was in motion and mounted again by 
clinging to the animal’s mane, as the circus riders do ; 
and Jack almost equaled him in cleverness. 

I had thought that the riding was over, when our 
little Frank appeared from the stable in the cave, lead- 
ing young Grumbler, with a neat saddle of kangaroo 
hide, and a bridle passed through his nose ring. 

Saluting us with a pretty air of confidence, the child 
exclaimed : " Attention ! You see before you Milo of 
Crotona, the great bull tamer. Will you allow me to 
show you some of my performances .? ” 

[204] 


FRANK AND THE CALF 


Frank then put his bull calf through all his paces. 
He made him walk, trot, and gallop past us in turn, 
and obey his voice and movements in a manner that 
quite astonished us. We all gave him the praise he 
deserved, his brothers cheering him most lustily. 

'' I couldn’t have managed Grumbler so well if 
mamma had not helped me,” he said. 

The athletic performances ended with swimming and 
diving, in which Fritz proved himself master of the 
art ; Ernest being afraid to go beyond his depth, and 
Jack so violent in his exertions at first as to be soon 
exhausted. 

We returned to Falcon’s Nest along the seashore, and 
my wife, who preceded us, had spread a table with the 
prizes which she, as queen of the lists, was to present 
to the victors. 

Great was the pleasure which these gifts occasioned. 
Fritz, as the best shot, received a double-barreled gun, 
and for swimming, a splendid hunting knife on which 
he had often cast longing eyes. 

To Ernest, for winning in the running match, was 
awarded a beautiful gold watch, similar to one which 
belonged to Fritz. Other smaller articles were also dis- 
tributed to them, after Jack had received, for climbing, 
a pair of steel spurs and an English riding whip ; to 
little Erank, for his cleverness in training Grumbler, 
his mother gave a pair of spurs and a whip made of 
the skin of the rhinoceros. 

Then, to the mother’s surprise and the delight of 
the boys, I stepped forward and presented her with an 
[ 2 ° 5 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

English workbox, of the existence of which she had not 
known, containing a number of most useful articles — 
cotton, thread, a needlebook, scissors, thimble, a fruit 
knife, and many other things. 

She was truly pleased with my gift, and the boys in 
their happiness begged me to allow them to close this 
festive day with another cannon salute. Much as I 
wished to save the powder, I could not refuse the re- 
quest, and the boys welcomed as proudly the roar of 
the little cannon as if it had been a forty pounder. 

We at last joined the dear mother at the supper table, 
and after our evening prayer of thanksgiving and praise, 
gladly ascended to our castle in the tree and sought the 
repose we so greatly needed. And so ended the festival 
of our first anniversary in this unknown land. 


[ 206 ] 



CHAPTER XXIII 


THE MISCHIEVOUS MONKEYS 


HORTLY after our festival, I remembered that at 



about this time in the preceding year a flock of 


ortolans and wild pigeons had paid us a visit. It 
seemed advisable to obtain some of them for winter use, 
and as I wished to economize our powder as much as 
possible, I thought I would try the plan of the dwellers 
in the Pelew Islands, who, as I remembered to have read, 
snare them with a kind of birdlime made by mixing oil 
with the gum of the caoutchouc tree. 

Fritz and Jack started joyfully on an expedition to the 
caoutchouc grove, taking with them all the calabash ves- 
sels they could carry. This reminded my wife that we 
ought also to add to our supply of these useful articles. 

" But the calabash wood is at such a distance ! ” I said. 
" I hardly see how to spare the time.” 

”Oh,” she replied, '' I had almost forgotten the young 
shoots I planted near the potato fields last year. We will 


[207] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

take a walk there now, if you like. They may have come 
to perfection.” 

Calling Ernest and Frank to be our companions, we 
visited the spot and found the gourds in a most flourish- 
ing condition. Though in different stages of progress, a 
majority of the fruit was decayed, and its shells were as 
hard as iron. We chose such as were most suitable, and 
after returning home, cut them into vases, bottles, cups, 
and spoons. 

Before we had finished our work the young riders re- 
turned at full gallop on Storm and Lightfoot. They had 
a large supply of the india-rubber gum, but in addition 
brought us news of fresh discoveries. 

Jack displayed a small animal which he had shot, and 
which looked to me like a badger ; and Fritz produced 
a crane as the result of his sport, and also two roots — 
one of which Ernest said was anise, and the other was 
called by the boys the monkey plant. 

" Why have you given it that name ” I asked. 

" Because, papa,” said Fritz, "in an open spot not far 
from Wood Grange we came upon a troop of monkeys 
who were digging roots in a most comical manner and 
with ridiculous grimaces. Holding the roots with their 
teeth, they threw themselves heels over head to pull 
them up. Our dogs quickly dispersed the monkeys, 
and I tasted one of the roots. What do you think it 
is, papa.?” 

" I do not know the root,” I replied, "but I can trace 
in it some resemblance to a plant which the Chinese 
consider not only wholesome and strengthening but 
[ 208 ] 


THE MISCHIEVOUS MONKEYS 


medicinal. It is even supposed to prolong life, and the 
emperor of China claims all lands on which it grows, 
guarding them by sentries. It is also found in Tartary 
and, I believe, in some parts of America.” 

” But what is the name, papa .? ” asked Jack. 

” Ginseng,” I replied. ” Before we eat it, however, we 
must try Master Nip and the fowls with a piece.” 

"We have wax berries too,” said Fritz, "and a resin 
which looks like turpentine. But, papa, our new farm is 
nearly destroyed by those dreadful monkeys. The ani- 
mals and poultry are scattered in all directions, and the 
cotton and fodder are torn up and ruined.” 

" Are you sure it was the monkeys ? ” 

" Who else could have done it, papa } ” exclaimed 
Fritz. " Everything is torn or destroyed — the cotton 
dragged from our beds and thrown here and there, and 
the fodder mixed with the dung heap. It was a perfect 
scene of desolation.” 

That evening some of the ginseng roots, which we 
had tested by means of the monkey and the fowls, were 
cleaned and cooked. We ate them with great relish. 

I hastened to prepare the birdlime ; and our agile Jack 
placed sticks, over which it had been spread, on the 
branches of the trees. A few birds were quickly caught, 
but although the sticks were again and again covered, 
the sack containing the birds remained very light, and I 
resolved to adopt the custom of an American colony in 
Virginia and attack them when asleep. 

While snaring the birds. Jack had brought me a beau- 
tiful pigeon, which he thought should - not be killed, and 
[209] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


which Ernest recognized as a European pigeon from the 
ship. Before night we had two pairs of these in safe- 
keeping, but the number of wild birds was not even suffi- 
cient to fill one of our casks. I determined, therefore, to 
provide torchlights and invade the great tribe of pigeons 
and ortolans in their night quarters. 

As I had expected, an immense swarm of birds were 
roosting on the trees. Suddenly roused by the glare of 
light, the terrified birds fluttered helplessly among the 
branches, and many fell before we began to use the 
sticks. 

When we struck the branches, it was all that my wife 
and Frank could do to gather up the numbers of birds 
that lay on the ground. The sacks were soon full, and 
we turned homeward to store our booty and retire to rest. 

The day following was spent in plucking, boiling, 
roasting, and stewing our birds ; but on the next, a great 
expedition was arranged to prevent a repetition of the 
monkey invasion at Wood Grange. I hoped to inflict 
such a punishment as to make them shun our neighbor- 
hood for the future. 

We were to be absent several days, and my wife pro- 
vided us with a good store of provision, while Frank and 
herself remained at home. 

I took with me an abundance of specially prepared 
birdlime, — much stronger than that which we had used 
for the birds, — a number of short posts, plenty of string, 
and a supply of coconut shells and gourds. 

In due time we arrived at a convenient spot in the 
forest near Wood Grange, well concealed by bushes and 
[210] 


THE MISCHIEVOUS MONKEYS 


underbrush. Here we made a halt, pitched a small tent, 
and tethered the animals. The dogs also were tied up, 
lest they should roam about and betray our presence. 

The cottage was quiet and deserted, and I lost no 
time in preparing for the reception of visitors, hoping 
to be ready for them and out of sight ourselves before 
they arrived. 

We drove the posts lightly into the ground to form a 
paling, and wound strings around them in all directions, 
to make a kind of labyrinth through which it would be 
impossible to pass without touching either the stakes or 
the cords. 

Everything was then plentifully besmeared with bird- 
lime, and basins of the mixture were set in all directions, 
strewed with rice, maize, and other dainties for bait. 

Soon after sunrise the noise which sounded in the 
distance awoke us and announced that our enemies were 
approaching. Seizing our arms, we divided ourselves 
into two parties, and leading our dogs, hid in a spot 
from which we could observe, unseen, this most ridicu- 
lous spectacle. 

The monkeys began by climbing to the branches of 
the trees near the farmhouse, where they sprang about, 
yelling and chattering enough to utterly bewilder a man’s 
brain. Then suddenly the whole swarm broke from the 
branches and hopped pell-mell after one another to the 
farmstead. 

They broke through the strings, pulled up the poles, 
rushed on the tempting bait, or climbed to the roof of 
the building. 


[211 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


By degrees the chattering of the rabble changed to 
cries of rage or fear ; for not one had escaped being 
caught by the birdlime, either on head, breast, back, 
or paws. 

It was a droll sight to see the poor creatures. Some 
tried to clean themselves ; others were hopelessly en- 
tangled with snares which they trailed after them ; and 
others still, being fastened to poles, fell with them to 
the ground. In their haste to obtain a coconut, two had 
grasped it at the same moment and were immediately 
stuck together ; and another, in his eagerness to drink 
the palm wine in a calabash shell, had tipped it up so 
greedily that it remained on his forehead and whiskers, 
like a mask. 

Though I was sorry for them I could not help laugh- 
ing, and when their panic had really reached its height 
I set the dogs upon them, as nothing remained for us 
but to put them with the least suffering out of their 
misery. 

In a few minutes there lay before us a veritable battle 
field, and we had to dig a pit to bury the poor apes. 
The boys were saddened by our work and hoped they 
should never again witness such a sight. " It was the 
half-human look with which they seemed to ask us to 
help them that made it so dreadful,” said Fritz. ” Let us 
do something to divert ourselves, that we may forget it.” 

It was no light task to restore order in our dismantled 
cottage, seek our scattered flocks, and settle them peace- 
fully again in their yards and sheds. One day, while 
thus engaged, I heard two or three times the sound of 
[ 212 ] 


THE MISCHIEVOUS MONKEYS 


something falling under the nearest palm tree. On go- 
ing to discover the cause, I found three beautiful birds 
which had been caught by the lime. In their struggles 
to escape, they had fallen to the ground, but were still 
living. 

They belonged to the pigeon tribe and were evidently 
from the Molucca Islands, in which country they are 
called ''carrier pigeons,” or "Molucca doves.” This ad- 
dition to our poultry yards gave me great pleasure, and 
I resolved to begin as soon as possible to build a new 
and handsome pigeon house. 

In a few days we returned to Falcon’s Nest, leaving 
Wood Grange again settled and comfortable ; and I at 
once arranged for a prolonged stay at Tent House, where 
several matters beside the proposed pigeon house in the 
rock required attention. 

My plan for the latter was to hollow out an ample 
space in the cliff, facing Jackal River and close to our 
rocky home ; fit it up with partitions, perches, and nest- 
ing places ; and then to attach to it a large wooden 
front, with entrance holes, slides or shutters, and a broad 
platform in front, where the birds could rest and walk 
about. 

When, after a few weeks, we thought it fit for habita- 
tion, I said to Fritz one morning, "We shall have to 
practice now some sort of enchantment to attract a colony 
of pigeons to this new dwelling ” ; and as he did not 
understand what I meant, I told him of a way which a 
pigeon dealer in our village described to me, and which 
certainly did have some appearance of witchcraft. 

[213] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


1^' Pigeons,” I said, ”are very fond of the odor of the 
anise plant, and if we rub the edges ‘of the pigeonholes 
with oil from the aniseed, the birds in passing in and 
out will carry some on their wings, and the aromatic 
odor from it will attract others to follow them to their 
home. The men who practice it are often dishonest, for 
by what they call their 'charm,’ they attract the prop- 
erty of others ; but we may collect a colony without 
any scruple.” 

” How are we to get the oil ? ” asked Fritz. 

"Very easily,” I replied. "Some of the seeds must 
be pressed in a mortar until the oil is extracted, and 
then the whole mass must be strained to separate the 
oil, which I will mix with lime and salt to make a 
paste.” 

Fritz assisted me in preparing the paste, and in a 
short time our project resulted in the introduction of 
the pigeons to their new abode. 

The European birds were by this time quite friendly 
with the three beautiful strangers, and when Jack scram- 
bled up to look in upon them through a pane of glass 
I had fixed in front, he saw them contentedly picking 
up the grain. 

Early on the third morning I aroused Fritz and had 
him ascend the rope ladder to arrange a cord upon the 
sliding door, so that it might be opened or closed from 
below, and also to pour fresh aniseed oil all about the 
entrance. Then we returned and woke the rest of the 
family, telling them that, if they liked, they might see 
me let the pigeons fly. 


[214] 


THE MISCHIEVOUS MONKEYS 


All came out at once and stood in the open air below 
the dovecote. I gave a sign to Jack to draw up the trap- 
door by the string, and presently the pigeons put out 
their heads timidly to examine the way to the outside 
world. Suddenly, with rushing wings, they rose in the 
air and were quickly out of sight ; but after a few turns 
in the air, as if to stretch their wings, the flock returned, 
apparently as ready to reenter the new house as if it 
had been their home for years. 

Our pleasure was, however, soon damped, for the three 
foreign birds rose again in the air and took their way 
toward Falcon’s Nest, so that I at once gave them up 
as lost. The tame pigeons fluttered about us in a most 
friendly manner, picking peas as we threw them on the 
ground and going back and forth between it and the 
house with the greatest readiness. 

But nothing was seen of the fugitives until about the 
middle of the next day, when, most of us being at work 
inside the cave. Jack sprang in, shouting : " Here he is ! 
He has come back ! ” 

'' Who, who ” we all asked, " and where } ” 

The blue pigeon ! ” cried Jack. '' Hurrah, hurrah ! ” 

There, sure enough, stood the pretty fellow, but not 
alone. He was billing and cooing to a mate, a stranger 
of his own breed, apparently inviting her to enter his 
dwelling. She was persuaded to do so, and we saw 
with satisfaction that this pair, at least, were domiciled 
in their new home. 

" We will leave the entrance open for the other two,” 
I said ; and as I spoke Fritz called out, "Here they 

[215] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


come ! ” and another approached, bringing also his mate. 
The third and handsomest was the last to make his 
appearance ; but late in the day, when Frank and his 
mother went out to prepare supper, the child returned, 
calling us to hasten to the dovecote. The third stranger 
had returned with a lovely bride, and encouraged by the 
presence of the first arrivals, the pair soon made them- 
selves at home. 



[216] 



EST-BUILDING soon began, and among 
the materials gathered by the birds I observed 
a long gray moss or lichen, and thought it 
might . be the same that hangs from the bark of old 
trees in the West Indies, where it grows in great tuft- 
like beards. 

My wife had no sooner heard of it than she devised 
fifty plans for making it of use. Would we but collect 
enough, she would sort and clean it, and there should 
be no end of the bolsters, pillows, saddles, and cushions 
she would stuff with it. 

For the discovery of nutmegs we had also to thank 
the pigeons, and the seeds were carefully planted in 
our orchard. 

For a considerable time no event of importance oc- 
curred. Our work went on with little incident until Jack 
broke the monotony by presenting himself one morn- 
ing, after a few hours’ absence, in a most deplorable 

[ 217] 



THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


condition, covered from head to foot with thick green 
mud. A great bundle of Spanish canes was on his 
back, muddy and green like himself. He had lost a 
shoe, and altogether he presented so ludicrous a pic- 
ture of misery that we could have laughed had he not 
seemed ready to cry. 

" My dear boy, where have you been ” I asked. 

"Gathering reeds,” he replied, "behind the powder 
magazine in the marsh. I wanted to make some cages 
and baskets, and I saw such beauties on the edge of 
the marsh that I could n’t help trying to get them. I 
jumped from one tuft of firm earth to another quite 
safely, till I got near the reeds, and then my foot slipped,, 
and in I went — first up to my ankles and then to my 
knees ; and there I stuck and began to scream with all 
my might, but no one came to help me, except my 
poor little jackal.” 

" Did he come to you } ” asked Ernest. 

"Yes, indeed!” replied the boy, "and set up such 
a barking and howling that the sound echoed round 
the rocks awfully. But he couldn’t help me, and no 
one heard our cries. At last, in my terror, I thought of 
the reeds. I could just reach them with my hunting 
knife ; so I cut down this bundle and laid it on the 
edge of the marshy pool, to form a kind of bank, and 
while I rested my body upon it I was able to set my 
legs free, but, unfortunately, was obliged to leave one 
of my shoes behind.” 

" So I perceive,” I replied. "But how did you man- 
age to get away at last. Jack ? ” 

[218] 


JACK’S ADVENTURE 

" O papa ! ” he said, laughing, "I got astride the 
bundle of reeds and caught hold of the jackal’s tail. 
Of course he ran back to the dry ground quickly 
enough ; but I held fast, and so he dragged me and 
the reeds to the bank in no time. But I never had 
such a fright in my life as when I felt myself sinking 
in the marsh. I thought it was all over with me.” 

"Thank God for saving you, my boy,” I said, "and 
also for giving you the courage and presence of mind 
to act as you did.” 

I examined the reeds and found that I could use them 
for making parts of a loom for my wife. By splitting 
two of the largest, I formed a frame for the warp ; and 
the boys cut some of the more slender into small pieces 
for teeth for the comb. Their curiosity was excited, 
especially as I had each part carefully hidden when fin- 
ished. At last I told them not to be surprised if they 
found I had made a musical instrument called a " tom- 
tom,” such as the Hottentots use, which would play a 
tune when their mother beat time with her foot. They 
knew I was in fun, but when at length the weaving 
loom was finished and presented to their mother, they 
quickly understood the value of its movements. 

At about this time the onager presented us with a 
beautiful little white foal, very much resembling herself, 
whose graceful movements as it grew older led me to 
name it Swift. 

For several days after I had finished the loom, we 
employed ourselves in preparation for winter in the in- 
terior of our grotto. The distance from fresh water was 
[219] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


a difficulty to obviate, and I determined to erect a foun- 
tain and connect it, by pipes of hollow bamboo canes, 
with the sago-palm conduits at Tent House. 

An open cask served for a basin, and a smaller one 
hanging near received the overflow. My wife assured 
me that it gave her quite as much pleasure as if it were 
a marble basin supported by sea horses or dolphins. 

We had come now to the time when any day might 
mark the beginning of the rainy season, and it became 
necessary to gather a good supply of potatoes, rice, 
guavas, sweet acorns, pine' cones, anise roots, and as 
many of the ananas, or pineapples, as were ripe enough 
to pluck. A quantity of seeds, both native and European, 
were also sown in the ground as we cleared it. 

To preserve the various articles in our rock storehouse 
required a larger number of vessels than we possessed, 
and I broke up the raft, that we might make use of the 
casks for our store of roots and dried fruit. 

Our pigeon house could not accommodate more than 
the three pairs of foreign pigeons, the five European 
birds, and their broods. We were fortunate in having a 
good store of peas and grain for them, and I expected 
a large addition after the rainy season. 

Winter was rapidly ushered in by heavy clouds, which 
spread over the horizon and were followed by pelting 
showers. The wind rose and blew violently from the sea, 
and the waves dashed in foam against the rocks, till at 
length frightful storms of thunder and lightning drove us 
to our shelter in the cave. It was near the beginning of 
June, and we had twelve weeks of bad weather before us. 

[ 220 ] 


JACK’S ADVENTURE 

I was glad that we had already installed several of the 
animals in our rock stables. The cow we brought for 
her milk, and the onager because the little foal still 
wanted its mother’s care. Grizzle and Lightfoot we knew 
would be needed, in case of short periods of favorable 
weather, to take the boys to Falcon’s Nest, where the 
rest of our animals and the poultry still remained. 

The dogs, the jackal, the monkey, and the eagle were 
with us also, and seemed happy and very lively. The 
ape especially amused us by his tricks ; indeed, the com- 
panionship of these animals tended to shorten our winter 
evenings very considerably. 

Notwithstanding our previous work in the cave, we 
still found a great deal to be done to render it really 
comfortable. One great inconvenience arose from the 
darkness. The cave had only four openings for light; 
the door, and three windows — one for our sitting room, 
another in the workshop, and one which lighted the 
three sleeping chambers. With the entrance door closed, 
the stables and other parts of the cave at the back were 
in total darkness. 

To remedy this, I fixed a bamboo cane firmly in the 
ground, near the center of the cave, the upper end reach- 
ing the roof ; and Jack climbed to the top with a pulley 
and stake, which he fastened to a cleft in the rock. 
A long string was passed through the pulley, and to it 
I fastened a lantern which we had brought from the 
wreck. Being filled with clear oil and having four wicks, 
it burned brightly, and when I drew it up to the roof 
it lighted up the deepest part of the cave. 

[ 221 ] 




could continue our wo?!^ with ease, 
Ern^t and Frank busied themselves in fitting shelves 
• .against the walls of our sitting room to H^ld ouft books ; 
the mother and Jack arranged' the various articl^^s used 
for cooking on a kind of dresser formed^ of. j)lanks ; 
while Fritz assisted me in fitting up the wo^shop and 
fixing his turning lathe in its place in one G;prn£r. 

There were alsoca little fofge th^ had befofiged to the 
ship,^ a .pair of beBbws, andVn whicm we placed 

together \ in ala corn A TJ^aj^carpenter’s bench 

ifStood Jn ^!he \c^ter,^a: 

'*■' 'm -■ \ \ ^ '' 


the tMs ^nd» other ^icles of 
vati^'^'>;kinds ^re hung "'upo^ th^ w^ls^ ■ ; - 

Ernest aim Frank had arranged oui^ 6ook^/ iil classes, 
and I was^ surprised to find what a niimber we had. 


Some of these we had brought with* us froifi Europe, 
and others we had found on the wreck and .saved — 
voyages and travels, natural histories, and many other 
learned and interesting books, besides a box of mathe- 
^ matieal and astronomical instruments, maps and charts, 
and an excellent terrestrial globSi ' \ 

^ i^oticed also grammars and dictionaries of various 
Is^plpj^es, and among thenl'thyse o^ the English tongue. 

^d Ernest had studAd English: at school and had 
'learned to speak and write it a little during our stay 
in England. I also had studiejd ^ this language, which 
is the one in principal use among; seafaring men. With 
French we were all as well acquainted as with our own 
; native Swiss. 

We talked over this wonderful library during our 
■ evebing meal, and the boys were glad of the opportunity 
- [222] . 


JACK’S ADVENTURE 


of continuing the study of languages. The mother, who 
had become acquainted with a Dutch family at the 
Cape of Good Hope, could express herself well in that 
language. Jack seemed to consider the Italian and 
Spanish languages much more worth the trouble of 
learning. Spanish, he said, was such a grand-sounding 
language. 

It was decided that we should all study German and 
French. English and Dutch were to be carriefi on by 
the mother and her two elder boys. Ernest wished to 
learn Latin, as the root of all languages, as well as to 
continue his favorite studies of natural history and medi- 
cine. E'er myself, I determined to search among, the 
books for a Malay grammar, for it was not at all unlikely 
that we might have a visit from the natives of the East 
India islands. 

There still remained several unopened chests ; and 
when at last we found time to, seek for them, many un-^ 
expected treasures presented themselves-^ — several look- 
ing-glasses, two console tables with polished marble tops, 
a chest of drawers, two well-furnished writing desks, a 
musical box, a chronometer, and a sea watch — which I 
own I did not know how to use — and other fancy arti- 
cles. In short, we found ourselves rich beyond what we 
had imagined possible, and the three months in which 
we were shut up in our winter quarters passed so quickly 
that many things I had intended to make were not . 
even begun. 

We were lodged like princes. My dear house-folk be- 
gan to insist that our winter residence should have a 

[ 223 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


grander name, and it was at last settled that it should 
be called Rock Castle. 

Toward the end of August the weather, although at 
times clear, became especially stormy ; and the rolling 
waves that broke so fiercely on the shore became really 
frightful. Rain, thunder, and lightning continued for 
hours, lashing the ocean into fury, and we were thank- 
ful for the shelter of our rocky dwelling. 

By degrees the wind and storm subsided, the rain 
ceased, the sun appeared, and we ventured out into 
the free air. 

As we walked towards the chain of rocks near Jackal 
Bay, the farsighted Fritz discovered something large 
and round that appeared to be lying on the little island 
near Flamingo Marsh. He took it at first for a sloop 
capsized in the storm. 

Even after examining with my telescope, I could not 
decide what it could possibly be. Having been so long 
shut up in the house, we were ready to embark at once 
in our boat and sail to the spot ; but the bark boat, 
or pirogue, was so filled with water that it was too late, 
after we had bailed it out and rearranged the tackle 
and rigging, to make our proposed excursion. 

We were ready soon after breakfast the next morning, 
and as we approached, our conjectures were very amus- 
ing. My own impression proved to be correct — a large 
whale lay stranded on the island, evidently thrown there 
by the violence of the waves. I went around the island 
to find a safe landing place, entering at last a little 
creek, from which we went on shore on a sandy beach. 

[224] 


THE STRANDED WHALE 

I was pleased to find that this little island, which I 
could cross in ten or fifteen minutes, was in some parts 
very fertile, and that by care its fertility might be greatly 
increased. 

Two ways presented themselves for reaching the 
stranded whale — one over the rocks, the other longer 
but on level ground. I chose the former and climbed 
to a high point, from which I could command the view 
of the whole island, while the boys took the level road. 

The landscape was deficient in trees, thus forming a 
great contrast to Falcon’s Nest and the opposite coast 
near Tent House as well as to the shore near Rock 
Castle, all of which I could easily distinguish from the 
height on which I stood. 

Joyful shouts made me presently turn to the point 
at which lay the whale ; but the boys were at the foot 
of the rocks near the shore, and calling : " Papa, papa, 
do come and look ! We have found such a quantity of 
shellfish, and some pieces of rock that look like coral.” 

I went down to join them and found, as they had 
said, both shellfish and coral, which had been brought 
there by the stormy waves. 

” What is coral, papa ? ” asked Jack. 

” It is in some wonderful manner produced by a small 
creature called a polyp. Many thousands of these live 
together like ants. They pile the coral to form their 
curious dwellings, until they form rocks of large size ; 
and when they reach the surface of the sea, rain and 
the atmosphere fertilize them, thus making coral reefs 
or islands.” 


[225] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

What an immense creature ! ” said Fritz as we ap- 
proached the whale. " I wish it could be useful, but I 
am afraid there is not much for us to gain out of such 
a great carcass.” 

"You forget,” said Ernest, "that the blubber and 
the whalebone are useful, and the skin also.” 

" This inspection will content us for the present,” I 
said, "and after dinner we will return to see if the 
stranded whale cannot be made as useful as our other 
discoveries.” 

The boys found it a heavy task to row through the 
tossing waves, and I had to exert all my strength in 
steering and baling out the water with which the dash- 
ing waves were constantly filling the boat. 

"If we could only find some large clockwork wheels,” 
I said, " we might perhaps learn to make our boat 
proceed without so much trouble.” 

" There are two large iron wheels in Rock Castle, 
papa, and two spits which mamma uses for roasting ; 
could we not fix them upon the boat } ” 

"Possibly,” I replied; "but until they are so fixed, 
we must use the oars. But thank you, dear Fritz, for 
the hint.” 

We talked about the coral insect during dinner, for 
the mother and little Frank were delighted with the speci- 
mens we brought home, and both expressed a wish to 
accompany us in the afternoon if the sea became calm. 

" I should like to see the great creature,” said my 
wife; "and will you not tow the empty herring casks 
behind the boat ? You will be sure to find them useful.” 

[ 226 ] 


THE STRANDED WHALE 


The weather promising to be favorable, the boys pro- 
ceeded to load the casks with tools and firearms, and 
foot straps to aid them in mounting the great fish. 

Although the sea was calmer, our progress with the 
boat was as difficult as in the morning. Rowing against 
the tide, with all our efforts we could not land near 
the whale, and leaving our boat and casks in a place 
of safety, we proceeded on foot. 

The enormous mass startled my wife and Frank, 
and no wonder, for I judged that the whale could not 
be less than sixty feet long, and in thickness near the 
head almost thirty. The weight must have exceeded 
two hundred tons. 

What seemed most remarkable was the fact that the 
head should be a third of the whole body and yet the 
eyes no larger than those of an ox. The interior of 
the jaw was lined with long, dark, flexible bones, — the 
whalebone of commerce, — some of which, in the roof 
of the mouth, were at least twelve feet long. The tongue 
alone would have weighed a thousand pounds. The deep 
abyss of the throat also created surprise among the boys, 
and Fritz expressed his wonder that such an enormous 
monster should have so small a gullet, for it appeared 
scarcely large enough to admit my arm. 

"The whale certainly cannot swallow anything but 
small fish," said he. 

" No," I replied. " It feeds on small fish and even on 
worms and insects ; its special food is a small sea animal, 
like a lobster, found in immense numbers in the icy 
seas of the North and South polar regions. They are 
[227] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

swallowed in immense numbers in the water that he 
drinks. This water he sometimes discharges through his 
nostrils with a force that resembles a waterspout, espe- 
cially when he is attacked by whale fishers. But we must 
now begin our work with this leviathan, or evening will 
come upon us before we are aware.” 

Fritz and Jack instantly put on their foot straps, and 
mounting to the back of the animal, ran over the mon- 
ster from the head to the tail. I desired Fritz to cut off 
the upper lip with his hatchet, while I separated the 
lower from the jaw with my chopper. This exposed the 
whalebone and gave me an opportunity to remove nearly 
a hundred strips from the head. 

All at once the air was filled with carrion birds of 
all descriptions, and the number seemed to increase 
every minute. They whirled about us in a circle and 
alighted on the prey so greedily and so boldly as to 
snatch away from before our very eyes pieces of flesh 
that we had cut off. We were obliged to strike right 
and left with our tools to destroy or banish the invaders. 

I separated a part of the entrails and cut a piece from 
the tongue, which I had read was considered a delicacy. 

By this time evening was approaching, and after load- 
ing our boat and the casks with a heavy freight we 
rowed vigorously out to sea, anxious to reach home as 
soon as possible. 

We started again in the early morning, leaving Frank 
and his mother at home, for I knew the work of remov- 
ing the parts containing blubber or train oil would be 
unpleasant. 


[228] 


THE STRANDED WHALE 

Having dressed ourselves in jackets, vests, and coarse 
shirts which my wife had searched for in one of the 
sea chests, we began our work in earnest by throwing 
the refuse to a distance to attract the birds away from 
us and retaining only the parts most suitable for produc- 
ing train oil, and also long pieces of the skin. Before 
sunset I was satisfied with what we had obtained, and 
we returned to the boat to refresh ourselves with a bath 
and then return home. 

While on our way. Jack said: ’'Papa, why were you 
so anxious to bring away all these disagreeable parts of 
the whale } Of what use are they .? ” 

” Of great use,” I replied, ” especially in countries 
where no trees grow to provide wood for casks, and no 
hemp to make ropes, as is the case among Greenland- 
ers, Eskimos, and Samoyeds. The entrails of the whale 
form a substitute for one of these purposes, and the sin- 
ews for the other. The finer parts of the latter they 
use as thread for sewing their clothes and boots, while 
the former is as valuable to them as to us, for it pro- 
duces lamp or train oil. The sinews are also useful in 
many countries to make strings for musical instruments, 
little air balloons, and — ” 

” What, papa ! ” they all exclaimed ; "air balloons ! 
You cannot mean those which carry people through 
the air ! ” 

"No, my children,” I replied, " only those which are 
to ascend in a room. Large air balloons are made of 
silk, and varnished with caoutchouc to render them air 
tight, and then covered with a net of silken string, to 
[229] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

which is attached the car or basket in which the aero- 
naut is seated. The upper part of the balloon is then 
filled with gas, and as gas is lighter than air, the balloon 
rises and floats.” 

- On arriving at Rock Castle, our freight was concealed 
behind the rocks until it could be cleansed and dried 
on the morrow. After refreshing ourselves with another 
sea bath and changing our clothes, we presented ourselves 
at the table, where a plentiful supper awaited us. 


[230] 



ROWING BY MACHINERY — THE TURTLE 



‘E COMMENCED our unpleasant task early 
next morning by loading the wheeled sledge 
with the spoil and carrying away the source 
of the disgusting odor of train oil as far as possible 
from our dwelling. 

The result of this work, however, was not to be de- 
spised. We filled several casks with rarefied fat and oil 
thoroughly purified by fire, and during our absence the 
mother and Frank plucked and cleaned the birds, some 
of which proved eatable ; but the remainder were not 
wasted, for the refuse formed a very acceptable feast to 
our animals, including the ducks and geese. The feathers 
also were of great value to us. 

After all these undertakings were completed, my wife 
proposed that we should establish a new colony on the 
island on which the whale had been stranded, as it 
appeared to be free from apes and wild beasts. 

[^31] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


This proposal met with hearty approval from the boys, 
who were always charmed with a new plan. They were 
eager to act upon it at once, but I reminded them that 
we must wait for suitable weather, and that the boat must 
be cleansed from its last cargo. I also wished to try to 
carry out the idea of assisting its progress by wheels 
which should be turned by wind or water or perhaps 
both. 

I chose the strongest of the spits and passed it through 
the two sides of the boat, below the hanging seats, rest- 
ing it upon a square piece of iron in the center, to which 
it was fastened. The ends projected beyond the boat on 
each side, and upon these ends I placed the wheels, to 
turn as on an axis. In each end of the spit I managed to 
drill a hole for the linchpin, to keep the wheels in place. 

In front of these I arranged two smaller wheels, 
formed of whalebone, to turn in the wind like a wind- 
mill ; and the action of these, as they touched the larger 
wheels, caused them to move and propelled the boat 
forward. 

When all this was finished I proposed a short trial 
trip to the boys, and our success was delightful to us all. 
There was wind enough to turn the windmill wheels 
pleasantly, and we glided along with surprising rapidity. 
I promised that on the day following we would all 
embark for a longer voyage. 

The evening was spent in preparing dresses, arms, and 
food, and we were ready betimes next morning. The 
sea was smooth, and my rowing machine performed its 
task easily, as I directed our course to the opposite side 

[23^] 


ROWING BY MACHINERY 


of the bay. Leaving Deliverance Bay and Shark Island 
behind us, I steered our little skiff to the shore near 
Wood Grange, and leaving the boat, we sought the shade 
of some coconut trees which grew near. The crow of a 
cock in the distance reminded us of a legend of my 
country, that the crowing of a cock indicates • to the 

tired traveler a hospitable roof beneath which he can 

be sheltered and made welcome. 

I saw that my wife was moved by the sound and has- 
tened to cover my own emotion by entering at once into 
the business of cutting shoots from the trees. 

Having collected all that we required, we again stepped 
into the boat and steered for Prospect Hill. I remem- 
bered a little bay, on which I determined to land be- 

neath the shade of some tall mangrove trees, which 
grow chiefly on the seacoast. The mangrove pushes 
forth from the roots long, dry branches, which cover 
the shore and protect it from the fury of the waves. 

We gathered several bundles of shoots from these 
trees and then proceeded to our new farm. 

The number of our sheep, goats, and fowls had in- 
creased, and everything appeared to be in order ; but 
I was surprised to see that the creatures fled at our 
approach. The boys had a longing for some fresh eggs 
and some goat’s milk, but when they attempted to catch 
one of the goats, she butted at them and kept them at a 
distance. I contrived to throw a rope around her legs, 
which brought her to a standstill, and when they had fed 
her with potatoes and salt, my wife was able to milk her 
and bring us two coconuts full of the sweet, fresh milk. 

[233] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


We found no difficulty in obtaining eggs ; for when 
my wife threw rice and oats to the hens, they rushed 
from their nests, and the boys gathered from them all 
that we required. 

I had a wish to round Cape of False Hope before we 
returned and to survey the coast immediately beyond ; 
but the promontory maintained the character of its name, 
for we found that a long sand bank, with hidden reefs 
and rocks, ran out a great way into the sea. On espy- 
ing breakers ahead, we put about at once, and aided by 
a light breeze, directed our course toward Whale Island. 

Before we reached it a singular spectacle presented 
itself at the end of the sand bank. It appeared at first 
to be a ridge of black rocks, but as I examined it more 
closely I distinguished a troop of seals, seemingly at play 
but roaring and barking at each other. 

On arriving at Whale Island, I went to work at once, 
with the ready help of the boys, to plant the young 
shoots in this fertile spot ; but when this was accom- 
plished they were disinclined to do anything but wander 
about to gather shells and coral. 

"Father! mother! come and look!" presently shouted 
Jack. " Come and see this enormous skeleton ! " 

"It is the whale, no doubt, my boy," I replied, 
laughing. 

"No, no!" he cried. "This creature is longer, and 
much higher out of the water." 

I was about to go to him when another voice called : 
' ' Papa, papa, pray come ! here ’s a tremendous turtle ! 
He ’s pulling me into the water. Pray come ! " 

[234] 


THE TURTLE 


This appeal was from Ernest ; and snatching an oar, 
I ran to his assistance. I found him holding by the foot 
a turtle of prodigious size. 

We succeeded, after a while, in turning the creature 
on its back, though it was a huge specimen, fully eight 
feet long ; and it being now quite helpless, we left it 
and went to inspect Jack’s skeleton, which of course 
proved to be that of the whale. 

The flesh had been so completely stripped from the 
bones that they stood out clean and white ; and I showed 
Jack our footprints, which w^ere still visible on the sand 
about it. 

'' Can we not make some use of this mountain of 
bones } ” asked Fritz. 

" By and by, perhaps, when the waves and the sun 
have dried and whitened them. But we must get home 
before sunset, and I do not wish to leave behind that 
great green turtle, yet do not quite see how to take 
such a mass along with us.” 

” Why not make him tow us along, papa,” said Fritz, 
"as we did the one we caught in the boat .? ” 

In a few minutes we had emptied one of the fresh- 
water casks and tied it with a strong rope to the fore 
part of the boat. The other end was fastened to the 
shell and forelegs of the turtle, and after turning him 
over, we hastily took our places in the boat. 

Finding himself free, the turtle rushed into the water ; 
but the rope attached to the water cask prevented him 
from diving, and he could therefore only swim steadily 
to the opposite shore, taking our little skiff after him. 

[ 235 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


Ernest laughingly declared that our new aquatic car- 
riage was like Neptune’s car, drawn by dolphins. I was 
able to guide the boat towards Deliverance Bay by strik- 
ing the water with the oar to the right or left when I 
wished our sea horse to turn in an opposite direction. 
We landed safely, and after conducting the boat to its 
place of shelter, I was obliged to take the life of the 
turtle, for I feared his great size and strength would 
render it impossible for us to keep him a prisoner. 

I wanted the shell also for another fountain, and the 
flesh was always an acceptable dish to us all. I resolved 
to set aside field work till just before the next rainy 
season, and in the meantime fulfill my promise of fin- 
ishing the loom for my wife. 

My first efforts had produced but a rough machine, 
which, though it had answered for a time, was now 
almost useless. 

In my young days I had visited the workshops of 
weavers, and knew something of other trades ; which 
knowledge helped me greatly in our present position. 
To complete my task I still required the particular paste, 
or weaver’s glue, with which they cover the thread to 
prevent it from slipping, and in default of it I deter- 
mined to try fish glue. I had already contrived to make 
this gum clear and firm enough to be used as window- 
panes, and as the windows were placed very deep in the 
rocky wall to keep out the rain, they served the purpose 
admirably. 

At the repeated request of my boys I had made two 
saddles and bridles and a yoke. These I had constructed 
[236] 


THE TURTLE 


of light wood and covered with the skin of the kangaroo 
and the fur of the seal. To stuff them I used the long 
moss of the old trees to which the pigeons had intro- 
duced us, and the leather for bridles I made soft and 
flexible by soaking it in oil. 

This work occupied some days, during which we were 
again visited by a shoal of herrings, large numbers of 
which we gathered. These were followed by many seals, 
of which we gathered about twenty, for although the 
flesh was too oily to be eaten we could bait traps with it 
for -crabs, and besides, we had found the skin, the fur, 
the bladder, and the oil most useful to us. 

The boys had several times petitioned me to take 
them on a hunting expedition, and I consented to do so 
after we had made two large baskets for carrying grain, 
fruits, or roots, from the field. We gathered a quantity 
of willow rushes, which grew on the borders of Jackal 
River, and at once busied ourselves with our first attempt 
at basket-making. 

The trial gave us experience ; but I decided to keep 
the first two baskets, which were strong though not very 
shapely, for carrying dust and clay, and make larger 
and better ones of the Spanish canes. In this we were 
quite successful, and the boys, in their delight at seeing 
them completed, determined to give Frank a little ride. 
A bamboo cane having been passed through the two 
handles on each side of the basket, Frank got in, while 
Ernest and Jack took an end of each pole on their 
shoulders and, to the great delight of Frank, started off 

[237] 


on a run. 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


" Could we not make a palanquin of this kind for 
mamma ? ” asked Fritz. 

‘‘A suitable basket could certainly be made,” I said; 
'' but who is to carry it We have no slaves here, as 
they have in India, and you, my boys, are not strong 
enough ; besides, I should not like to trust your mother 
with bearers so young.” 

"But, papa, we have Storm and Grumbler, who go 
just as we direct. I am sure they would carry her care- 
fully. May we try them with Frank .? ” 

I gave the desired permission, and in a few moments 
Storm and Grumbler were saddled and bridled, and 
placed — one in front, and the other behind, the basket 
— between the two poles, the ends of which were firmly 
fastened on each side of their saddles. I would not, 
however, allow Frank to remain in the basket while 
his brothers were teaching the animals this new style 
of traveling ; and besides, I knew that he had more 
power over Grumbler than either of his brothers. The 
boy therefore mounted the young ox, who was to take 
the lead, and Jack rode the buffalo behind. After a 
few runs the animals seemed to understand what was 
required of them, the greatest difficulty arising from 
their unequal steps, which gave a jolting motion to the 
basket. 

They assured me this would soon be overcome when 
the animals had learned to trot and gallop in step. 
Ernest volunteered to seat himself in the basket, the 
obedient animals kneeling to enable him to step in, 
then rising and starting off at a trot. 

[238] 


THE TURTLE 


A slight swinging of the basket Ernest thought not 
unpleasant ; indeed he lay back on the cushion as com- 
fortably as if it had been a couch with an elastic seat. 

But this steady pace did not long suit the riders of the 
animals ; a touch of the whip sent them off at full gallop, 
and the ease and comfort of Ernest came to an end. 

The basket swung from side to side so violently that 
he could not keep his seat, but was thrown to the right 
and left while the riders sat firm in their saddles. In 
vain he screamed to them to stop. The boys had not 
strength to draw rein for laughing, and indeed it was 
amusing to see Ernest, sometimes sitting up, sometimes 
on his back with his legs in the air, jolting about in 
the most ridiculous manner. 

At last the animals, of their own accord, came to a 
standstill and kneeled to allow Ernest to alight, which he 
quickly did, looking very angry ; but I explained to him 
that his brothers were only in fun, and the good-natured 
boy soon forgot his knocking about and went to his 
mother for a handful of salt and barley to reward the 
tired animals after their exertions. 

All idea of a palanquin for the mother was however 
set aside by circumstances which shortly occurred, and 
which alarmed us greatly. 


[239] 



CHAPTER XXVI 

THE DREADFUL VISITOR 

TT WAS sitting next day with my wife and Fritz, in the 
shadow of some trees overlooking Jackal River, and 
J-L talking of the improvements I hoped to make in 
the palanquin basket, when suddenly Fritz exclaimed : 

Papa, what is that creature there in the distance ? It 
looks like a thick cable rope and seems to be coming 
nearer by rolling and twisting itself.” 

To my horror I saw an enormous serpent rolling 
toward us on the sand and raising itself sometimes, like 
the mast of a ship, to look around as if for prey. 

My wife, seeing my alarm, rushed into our rock dwell- 
ing, and I called out to the younger boys to follow her. 

” What do you think it is ” asked Fritz as we stood 
together. 

” I think it must be a serpent of frightful size,” I 
replied. ” We shall have a hard battle to conquer it.” 

[240] 


THE DREADFUL VISITOR 

”Then I will not be the last in the field,” said my 
brave boy. ” I must get my double-barreled gun.” 

” Be prudent, my son,” I said. "You had better join 
your brothers in the house and get my largest gun in 
readiness. I will return for you when I see what can 
be done.” 

I went cautiously forward and became sure that my 
worst fears were well grounded. That most dreadful of 
serpents, the boa constrictor, was crossing the bridge at 
a rapid rate. I rushed back to our cavern home, and 
entering quickly and without noise, closed the door. 

The young people were in warlike attitude and fully 
armed. Fritz offered me his gun, and we placed our- 
selves at an - open window, from which we could see 
without being seen. 

The monster had already left the bridge behind him, 
and after a moment’s pause as if startled at traces of 
human beings, came rolling himself along in rings or 
holding himself erect, till at length he placed himself 
just outside our hidden dwelling in the rock. 

Ernest first, most probably from fear, fired his gun. 
Jack and Frank immediately followed his example, and, 
to my astonishment, their mother also. The four shots, 
although not one of them touched the creature, frightened 
him, for he began to roll away with great rapidity. Fritz 
and I both fired after him, but apparently with no effect, 
for he soon disappeared from our sight. 

I regretted our failure bitterly, and strictly forbidding 
the boys to leave the grotto without my permission, 
waited for three whole days in fear of our dread visitor. 

[241] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


But he gave no sign of his presence, and we began to 
hope that he had left the marsh by a way unknown to us, 
through the rocks. But the half-wild ducks and geese 
were evidently aware of the presence of an enemy, for 
they seemed to be in constant agitation. Returning every 
evening from their sail in the water, they would hover 
above their usual dwelling place among the reeds, beating 
their wings and uttering cries of fear, and finally would 
turn and fly across the creek to Whale Island to take 
up their night quarters. 

The creature was without doubt hidden among the 
rushes and might at any moment attack us or the ani- 
mals if we ventured to leave the cave. My anxiety in- 
creased daily. We were at last relieved-, though not 
without sad and distressing loss. As completely as Rome 
was saved by the geese, our garrison was now saved by 
the ass, our useful old Grizzle. 

The store of hay was all gone by the third day, and 
on the morning of the fourth Fritz and I decided to start 
for Falcon’s Nest. 

I stood giving my last injunctions to the boys, while 
my wife, who was entreating Fritz and myself to be cau- 
tious, opened the door ; and old Grizzle, who had been 
shut up and well fed for three days, rushed from his stall 
and, before we could stop him, galloped away towards 
Flamingo Marsh. 

Our eyes followed him, and in a moment we saw the 
serpent raise his head from the rushes, spring with a 
bound, and instantly inclose him in the folds of his 
snaky form. 


[242] 


THE DREADFUL VISITOR 


" Shoot him, papa ! shoot him ! ” screamed the boys. 

Do save our poor Grizzle ! ” 

" Nothing can save the ass now, my boys, and firing 
would irritate the creature,” I said, ” and perhaps draw 
him on to attack us. It will soon be over ; and while the 
monster sleeps, as he will after his meal, I will do my 
best to destroy him.” 

"Will he swallow his prey whole ? ” asked Fritz, as 
we turned away from the painful sight. 

"Serpents have no teeth,” I replied, "but their fangs 
enable them to seize their prey, which they crush to 
death with the folds of their body. Even the bones are 
broken by this pressure, and I believe they lick their 
prey all over with the tongue, which contains a peculiar 
kind of moisture, to soften every part and make it easy 
to swallow.” 

I allowed a few hours to pass before attempting to 
interfere with our terrible enemy, then, accompanied by 
Fritz, directed my steps to the borders of the marsh. 
Jack followed cautiously behind, and Ernest kept us in 
sight, though farther away. 

When at a distance of eighteen or twenty feet, both 
Eritz and I fired, and the shots seemed to have taken 
effect, for the upper half of the body and the jaws 
remained immovable. But the lower part and the tail 
moved convulsively, striking out blindly in all directions. 
Two pistol shots, however, finished the matter, and our 
joyful shouts of victory called all the family to us. 

" I am glad the monster is dead,” said Jack. 

" Can we eat serpents ? ” asked Frank. 

[243] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


''No, no,” replied his mother. "The flesh of a snake 
is poisonous.” 

"Not always,” I remarked. " Except the head, which 
contains the poison, the flesh is eaten in some countries 
I believe. And I have heard that some animals can eat 
serpents without being injured by the poison. I once 
read a story of pigs doing so, which greatly amused me.” 

"Tell it, papa ! ” they all exclaimed. 

"In one of the large lakes of America, according to 
the story, there was a pretty little island on which no 
human beings could dwell, on account of the immense 
number of rattlesnakes with which it was infested. And 
it happened, at one time, that a vessel with a large cargo 
of living pigs was wrecked near the island. The crew 
contrived to reach the shore and land themselves and 
their cargo, but it was impossible for them to remain, 
and as soon as the storm ceased they repaired their ves- 
sel, and leaving the pigs to their fate, with all speed 
made their escape. 

" The forsaken animals dispersed themselves on the 
island, and in time their owner, coming with another 
ship, found to his astonishment that the pigs were in 
good condition, fat and well fed. They had eaten up 
the rattlesnakes, and the island was from that time 
completely cleared of these venomous creatures.” 

"How can people know the difference between the 
poisonous and the harmless serpents ? ” asked Fritz. 

" Chiefly by the fangs,” I said, "which they protrude 
when alarmed or in danger. The creature rears his body 
to a great height, opens the glowing-red upper jaw so 
[244] 


THE DREADFUL VISITOR 


frightfully that the lower remains fixed, and displays two 
threatening fangs which at other times lie concealed in a 
kind of bag behind the gums. These fangs are hollow, 
but so hard that they can easily penetrate the thick 
leather of a boot. And it is under these that the little 
bladder lies which contains the poison. A little drop 
pressed out while the creature is using the fang enters 
the wound and spreads through the veins and over the 
entire system.” 

” What other poisonous serpents are natives of hot 
climates like this of ours ” asked Ernest. 

” I could not possibly name all that are found in such 
countries as Africa and India,” I replied. "Those most 
noted are the rattlesnake and the spectacled serpent, so 
called because the marks of the skin of the face resemble 
the bows of spectacles. These are very lively creatures 
and exceedingly fond of dancing.” 

" Of dancing ! How can creatures that have no feet 
dance } ” cried Jack. "You are joking, papa.” 

" No, not in the least,” I said. " The dancing consists 
of light playful movements, practiced in time to music, 
which Indian jugglers have cleverly taught the spec- 
tacled snake to perform. It is thought that the snakes 
perform under the influence of a stupefying drug. Some 
travelers affirm that they have seen the dancing snake 
with the fangs still in the jaw, but it is not known cer- 
tainly that they have not been removed. 

" I have heard that in South America the natives have 
a little instrument which when shaken has the sound of 
a rattlesnake, and that by means of it they allure small 

[245] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


animals, such as squirrels and rabbits, to their snares. But 
we have talked long enough, my boys, and must not leave 
our dead enemy till the morning, for the birds will be only 
too glad to spoil the skin, which I should like to stuff.” 

” That will be capital, papa,” said Ernest ; and Fritz 
and Jack ran quickly to get the buffalo and ox. Our 
poor Grizzle had been but half swallowed by the monster, 
and I thought it might be possible to remove the dead 
body from the serpent by yoking Storm and Grumbler to 
a rope fastened around its legs. This was soon arranged, 
and at a touch of the whip the animals started forward 
suddenly and drew from the serpent’s body the remains of 
our poor servant, which we at once laid in a deep grave. 

” Some of you should compose an epitaph on poor 
Grizzle,” I said, after we had buried him. 

” Ernest must do that,” exclaimed the brothers, but 
Ernest shook his head and looked uncomfortable. So I 
left him to himself and presently saw him seated alone, 
with his head on his hand and his elbow on his knee. 

In a little while he came to me, saying : ” Papa, I 
have written the epitaph. You won’t laugh if I let you 
read it, will you ” 

"No, certainly not, my boy,” I said as I took the 
paper from him and read as follows : 

Here lies an honest, industrious ass, 

Who once disobeyed his master’s call. 

Which caused him a dreadful death, alas ! 

Yet made him a hero ; for by his fall 
He saved a family with children four. 

And father and mother, on this lone shore. 

[246] 


THE DREADFUL VISITOR 


''The ideas are good, and the rhyme; but in the last 
line but one you have not the right number of feet. 
Try again, my boy. I am sure you can improve it.” 

He presently returned with the lines corrected thus : 

He saved from death, on this lonely shore, 

Father and mother and children four. 

The lines were not bad for a boy of thirteen, and he 
looked much gratified when I took from my pocket a 
large red pencil which I used for marking wood and 
wrote the verses on the rock. 

My next performance — taking off the skin of the 
boa — required also the aid of our two useful animals. 
Storm and Grumbler. I began by cutting the skin 
around the throat, and after separating it from the flesh 
and carefully turning it back, attached the ox and the 
buffalo by their harness to the trunk of the serpent, just 
above the neck. I then showed Fritz and Jack how to 
draw back the skin while I led the animals gently 
forward. 

It was rather a slow process, but we succeeded so well 
that the beautiful skin was removed almost without in- 
jury. It was then steeped in salt water, cleaned with 
sand and ashes, carefully stuffed with moss and wool, 
and left in the sun to dry. 

The next day we hung it upon the branch of a tree, 
and as there was difficulty in reaching the lower part 
near the tail. Jack volunteered to get inside in his 
bathing dress, to fill the skin with moss and wool and 
stamp it down with his feet. Two globes of gypsum paste 

[ 247 ] 


THE SWISS EAMILY ROBINSON 


varnished with fish glue served for eyes, and for the 
tongue we substituted a piece of iron wire, painted red 
with cochineal. And now arose the question where we 
should place such an enormous creature to dry, and what 
position to give it in our museum. 

After a little thought I decided to erect a strong pole 
and place the stuffed serpent in coils around it. The 
figure was so natural and lifelike that the dogs growled 
at it and Storm and Grumbler fled from it in terror. The 
boys attached a label to the mouth, on which was written, 

NO DONKEYS ADMITTED HERE 

There was a double meaning in the words, as the figure 
was to stand at the entrance of our library. 

Although the danger to which we had been exposed 
by the appearance of the serpent was over, I could not 
rest satisfied until I had searched the island, to learn 
whether any others of these creatures were to be found 
upon it. 

This resulted in two excursions — one to the marsh 
and duck pond, the other to the country about Falcon’s 
Nest. Jack and Ernest expressed a strong desire to 
remain at the grotto, but I overcame their fears, for I 
wished my boys to be brave and courageous in times of 
danger. I made them see how much safer and more at 
ease we should feel after exploring the region and finding 
no trace of these creatures. 

They were soon persuaded, and we started, carrying, 
in addition to our firearms, bamboo canes and wooden 
planks for crossing the marsh. 

[248] 


THE DREADFUL VISITOR 


In the crushed reeds and rushes we found many traces 
of the boa, but no signs either of young ones or of eggs. 
Returning by the chain of rocks after a careful search, we 
came upon another grotto or cave, just where one end of 
the chain joined the marsh, and from it flowed a little 
stream of clear, sparkling water. Fritz and myself 
stepped in on a broad path beside the stream and found 
that the ceiling and walls were formed of glittering 
stalactites. 

The ground was composed of soft earth as white as 
snow, and I found, to my great satisfaction, that it was 
a mineral earth called alumina. 

"'This will be of great use in washing our clothes," 
I said. "It is the earth used by fullers to cleanse 
wool before it is woven, and is one of the ingredients 
of soap.” 

The stream grew narrower as we advanced, and 
I found that it issued from a fissure in the rock at 
the back of the cave. As the stones about this point 
were soft, it was easy to remove them and make an 
opening. 

Fritz produced his tinder box and two wax candles, 
which we quickly lighted and stuck on our bamboo canes. 
By their clear burning, I knew that the air was pure 
enough to allow us to enter. 

Leaving Ernest and Jack outside, we crept through 
the hole and found ourselves in a large, lofty hall with 
a vaulted roof. 

" O papa ! ” exclaimed Fritz, joyfully, " here is another 
salt cavern. Look at the crystals.” 

[249] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


"They cannot be salt,” I replied, "or the water of 
the brook would taste of it. I am of opinion that this is 
a cave of rock crystals.” 

" Rock crystals, papa ! ” exclaimed the boy. " Then 
we have made a valuable discovery.” 

"Not more valuable here,” I replied, " than was the 
bar of gold found by Robinson Crusoe to him.” 

"We can break off a little piece, however,” he said, 
"to adorn our museum. See,” he continued, as he 
separated a portion from the wall, " it comes off easily ; 
but it is not transparent.” 

"No, Fritz, because you have destroyed the hexagonal 
shape. The real form of a rock crystal is a pyramid with 
six sides or faces, which form prisms and admit the light. 
If this form is destroyed, it ceases to be transparent.” 

Our candles were now burning low, and we hastened 
to return to the outer grotto, after having fired a pistol to 
observe its effect on the crystals. As we came out of the 
cavern Jack startled me by throwing himself into my 
arms, sobbing and laughing together, as he exclaimed : 
" O papa, I ’m so glad you have come ! I heard a noise 
like thunder, and thought the cave had fallen in and 
crushed you both.” 

" It was only the report of my gun, my dear boy. But 
why did not Ernest remain with you ? ” 

" Oh, he ’s gone to that bed of rushes and probably 
did not hear the noise.” 

I went with haste to look for the boy and found him 
seated cross-legged among the reeds, plaiting a curious 
kind of basketwork with striped and pointed rushes. 

[250] 


THE DREADFUL VISITOR 

Where are the fish for the basket you are making ? ” 
I asked. 

"I’ve not been fishing,” he answered; "but I’ve 
shot a young boa, about four feet long, I think. There 
he is, near my gun.” 

This rather alarmed me, for I knew that if this was a 
young serpent, there must be more on the marsh. A 
single glance relieved me. " Your boa,” I said, " is.a fine 
fat eel, which will provide us an excellent supper.” 

"Js it.U’ he said. "Then I have thrown a number 
into the water. I thought at first that they were worms, 
but I had great trouble to kill the large one. He kept 
moving even after I cut off his head.” 

" All these creatures have great tenacity of life,” I 
said. " The worm species can unite the parts of their 
bodies after they have been cut apart by the spade. But 
we may as well go home now, and tell your mother of 
the discoveries we have made and show her the fine eel 
you have killed.” 


[251] 



ANOTHER EXCURSION 

S atisfied now that the marshes and duck pond 
were free from all traces of serpents, I proposed 
a second excursion to Wood Grange. 

Joyful preparations began at once and occupied us 
for nearly a week. The cart was stocked v/ith provision 
for four weeks, together with our traveling tent, cooking 
utensils, tools, candles, torches for keeping off wild 
beasts at night, and plenty of arms and ammunition. 

Thus equipped and provided, we started on the ap- 
pointed day from Rock Castle. A seat for my wife was 
kept in the cart drawn by Storm and Grumbler, who also 
carried Jack and Frank on their strong backs. The cow 
was harnessed to the wheeled sledge, and Fritz, as a 
vanguard, rode a few paces ahead, on Lightfoot, while 
Ernest and I walked. It was arranged that, when tired, 
Ernest should take the place of Jack for a time, and that 

[252] 


ANOTHER EXCURSION 


I should take turns with Fritz on the onager. At flank 
and rear were the four dogs and the jackal. 

Traces of the boa were to be seen on our way to 
Wood Grange and not far from the sugar-cane groves ; 
but before we reached Falcon’s Nest they had com- 
pletely disappeared. 

The poultry, goats, and sheep were in good condition, 
and their numbers had increased. We threw some fod- 
der to them, and they followed us for some distance. 

Pushing on to Wood Grange, we also found the ani- 
mals well and happy and less wild and frightened than 
at our last visit. I decided to make this our halting 
place for the night, and my wife prepared dinner while 
the boys and myself strolled to the field to gather 
what cotton we could find, for pillows to use during 
our journey. 

After dinner we started out to explore the neighboring 
country more fully than we had done, and for the first 
time little Frank accompanied us, armed with a small 
gun. I turned to the left of Black Swan Lake, with 
Frank ; Jack and Fritz took the opposite direction ; and 
Ernest remained to assist his mother in gathering rice 
from the field by the lake. 

Each party had with it a detachment of our light in- 
fantry. Turk and the jackal. Hunter, were with Fritz 
and Jack ; Floss and Master Nip remained with Ernest 
and his mother ; and Fawn and Brownie, the two young 
dogs, followed Frank and myself. 

We kept, for the most part, close to the shore ; and 
where we were unable to do so, on account of marshy 

[253] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


ground covered with rushes, I sent in our four-footed 
companions, who started many aquatic birds, — such as 
herons, woodcocks, and wild ducks, — which flew to the 
lake, either to sport on its surface or soar above it. 

A strange noise, somewhat resembling the braying 
of an ass, suddenly startled us, coming as it did from 
among the rushes. 

"Papa, I believe it is our little onager. Swift!" 
exclaimed Frank. 

" Oh, no ! the voice is too strong for so .young an 
animal," I answered; "and besides, he could not have 
followed us so quickly and so far without our seeing 
him. I think it is a bird called the bittern." 

"Then it is game, and I may shoot it," cried the boy. 
" It must be an immense bird to have such a voice as 
that." 

" It can hardly be called game, for it is a species of 
heron, and the flesh is fishy and disagreeable ; and the 
crying or whistling of birds does not depend upon their 
size, but on the size and form of the throat, the size of 
the lungs, and, above all, on the power of the muscles 
of the chest. The nightingale and the canary, you know, 
can sing very loudly. It is said, however, of the bittern, 
that it increases the volume of its voice by thrusting its 
beak partially into marshy ground, thus making a deep, 
hollow sound that resembles the lowing of an ox." 

So great was his anxiety to bring down a bittern by 
his first shot that Frank scarcely listened. I sent the 
dogs to beat the rushes, while he stood with his gun 
pointed and his finger on the trigger. 

[^ 54 ] 


ANOTHER EXCURSION 


There was soon a rustle among the reeds, a report of 
a gun, and a cry of joy as the young sportsman rushed 
in to seize his prey. 

" I ve hit a wild boar, papa,” he cried, ” bigger than 
the one Fritz shot.” 

” The agouti, you mean, Frank. But I hope you have 
not killed one of the pigs from the farm.” 

I had by this time reached the spot where the strange- 
looking animal lay dead. It much resembled a pig, but 
had a reddish-brown skin and a pointed nose, and was 
evidently not a native of European countries. 

Frank was almost beside himself with joy at his suc- 
cess. He tried to raise the animal from the ground, to 
carry it to the tent to show to his brothers, but it was 
too heavy for him. 

On closer inspection, I found that the creature was 
from three to four feet long and had incisor, or cutting, 
teeth, and a divided upper lip like a hare. These pecu- 
liarities, with the added facts that it was tailless and 
that the toes were united by a membrane, convinced me 
that it was an amphibious animal of the cavy species. 

We placed it on Brownie’s back and turned our steps 
homeward to the tent. 

” Where have these disgusting animals been found ” 
I asked, seeing a large number of rats lying dead on 
the ground: 

"Oh,” said Ernest, " while mamma and I were gather- 
ing rice I came across mounds like molehills, rising a 
few inches above the ground ; and presently Master Nip, 
venturing near, drew from a hole in one of them a 

[255] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


large rat. I ran to help him, and after killing the rat, 
poked my stick into the nest, when out rushed at least 
a dozen stunned. 

" I knocked some with my stick, and some escaped 
into the water ; but their cries brought a whole colony 
upon me, and they began to attack my legs in a most 
savage manner. Striking right and left, I killed several, 
but they were so furious that I cried out for help, for I 
did not know what the end would be ; then Floss dashed 
in among them, and with one grip of the neck laid many 
of them dead at her feet, and scattered the rest.” 

I was very curious to see the nests, which I found to 
be similar to those of the beaver. ” They are muskrats,” 
I said, ” and belong to North America. Under the tail 
are two glands containing a fatty secretion, which, when 
stale, produces musk and is used as a perfume. They 
resemble the beaver in the cleverness with which they 
build their houses, and in having a bushy tail and 
webbed feet.” 

We set about skinning them and were thus employed 
when Fritz and Jack returned. Jack had in his hat 
about a dozen beautiful eggs, and Fritz brought two 
heath fowls, a cock and a hen, in his game bag. He also 
produced two small coconuts and some pineapples, while 
Jack brought out a small, pale-green fruit and asked if 
it would be safe to taste it; but before I had answered, 
Nip crept around to my side, and snatching one, rushed 
with it to a corner, where he devoured it greedily. 

This was enough. The boys pounced merrily upon 
the fruit, and I could scarcely manage to save one for 
[256] 


ANOTHER EXCURSION 


their mother and myself. The taste was most agreeable 
and reminded me of the cinnamon or clove apple. 

It was growing late, and the boys looked tired ; we 
therefore took up our night quarters in the hut at Wood 
Grange, and on our bags newly stuffed with cotton slept 
peacefully till daybreak. 

After an early breakfast we continued our journey to 
the sugar-cane grove, where, on a former visit, we had 
erected a kind of arbor of interlaced branches. It was 
in good condition, and instead of pitching our tent we 
threw the sailcloth over the top and made a comfortable 
resting place. 

Fritz and Jack at once started with me for the sugar- 
cane grove, for there was plenty of work to be done in 
the few hours we were to remain. I was thankful to 
observe no traces of the serpent’s trail, and we were 
passing the canes when what appeared to be a herd of 
little pigs passed before us. The perfect order in which 
they followed their leader was most remarkable. I was 
convinced that they were not European pigs, yet I could 
not help regretting when the shots from my double- 
barreled gun brought two of them to the ground. 

Strange to say, the procession did not pause, but actu- 
ally passed the dead bodies of their comrades with steady 
steps and without breaking ranks. Fritz and Jack fired 
also, and while the troop passed on, unmindful of their 
fallen companions, we shot down about a dozen of them. 

I recognized in the animal a creature of the beaver 
tribe, called a peccary ; and as the flesh is considered pal- 
atable, Fritz and I at once carefully removed the musk 

[257] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


bag from each, without breaking it. By this means the 
flesh was preserved from a flavor that would have been 
very disagreeable. 

All at once we heard the sound of two pistol shots 
from the direction of our arbor, and as I knew they must 
have been fired by Ernest and his mother, I sent Jack to 
tell them we had plenty of game and desired him also to 
bring Storm and Grumbler with the cart. 

Ernest presently appeared. " The troop passed our 
arbor,” he said, "and mamma and I shot two.” 

On Jack’s arrival with the cart, we placed the little 
pigs upon it and returned to the arbor, beginning, after 
a hasty but substantial meal, the preparation of our new 
booty. The legs and sides were cut off and salted, then 
placed in sacks and hung up on the branches of a tree, 
with calabash vessels underneath to catch the drippings 
of salt and water which we frequently threw over them. 

On the day following, the boys arranged to turn our 
arbor into a smokehouse like the one we used for smok- 
ing herrings, and in this the salted joints were hung. 

I had proposed that one pig should be cooked whole, 
after the manner of the Otaheitans. The boys began by 
digging a deep hole in the ground and burning in it a 
great quantity of reeds, dry. grass, and wood. They then 
placed in it large stones, to remain until they were heated 
red hot. 

In the meantime Fritz cleaned and singed the little 
peccary, rubbed it with salt, and stuffed it with pieces of 
meat, potatoes, and other vegetables, chopped fine and 
well seasoned. Not being able to obtain banana leaves, I 
[258] 


ANOTHER EXCURSION 


advised Fritz to wrap the animal in such leaves as he 
could find and cover them with bark. It was then laid 
in the pit and covered with hot cinders and glowing 
stones, over which earth was thrown till the pit was 
covered from sight. 

After about two hours these were removed, and a most 
agreeable odor of roasted pork arose, mingled with the 
fragrance of spices ; and presently the well-roasted pig was 
lifted out of its Otaheitan oven and placed on the table. 

I was a little puzzled to account for the aromatic flavor 
which our roast pig had gained, until I remembered the 
bark used for wrapping it. It seemed to unite the flavor 
of the nutmeg with that of cloves and cinnamon, and I 
came to the conclusion that it was what in Madagascar 
is called ravensara, which signifies "good leaf.” An oil 
which is useful in cooking is extracted from the leaves. 

As the smoke in the hut required attention for two 
days longer before the hams would be ready, my wife 
and one of the boys decided to remain near and attend 
to it while the rest of us explored the neighborhood. 

On our return at mealtimes we generally brought with 
us some booty and the welcome news that no trace of the 
boa could anywhere be found. 

Among other things, we discovered a bamboo thicket, 
containing reeds nearly sixty feet high and thick in pro- 
portion. I managed to saw off a few of them near the 
first knot, for I hoped to make the hollow parts useful as 
light casks and tubs. Round the knots or joints grew 
thorns, hard and sharp, which we gladly collected to use 
as a substitute for nails. 


[259] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

On our way to Prospect Hill one morning, we passed 
through Wood Grange, and I found, to my dismay, that 
the monkeys had again attacked the farm buildings. The 
goats and sheep had wandered away, the fowls had be- 
come quite wild, and the stalls and poultry houses were 
so broken and destroyed that I knew it would occupy 
several days to repair the damage. I put this work off, 
however, for the hams being now sufficiently smoked, 
we wished to continue our excursion. 


[ 260 ] 



CHAPTER XXVIII 

THE GREEN VALLEY — THE BEARS 

ARLY one morning our caravan set out, and after 
walking about two hours we reached the proposed 
^ limits of our wanderings, at a small wood. 

The spot was tolerably cool and well sheltered, the 
wood being bounded on the right by an overhanging rock, 
while at the left a river emptied itself into a large bay. 
The place appeared to be safe and convenient, and we 
began the necessary arrangements for a prolonged stay. 

While dinner was preparing I explored the immediate 
neighborhood with the boys, but found no enemies worse 
than wildcats, hunting birds, and badgers, and they fled 
at our approach. 

The afternoon was very hot, and we employed the time 
in talking over our plans for exploring the broad plain, 
or savanna, which we had seen from Prospect Hill on a 
former occasion. 


[261 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


I decided to take the three elder boys with me, so that, 
as I laughingly said, we might have a strong force in case 
of danger. My wife and Frank were to remain at the 
tent, with the wagons and the animals. 

We bade farewell to those we left behind and started 
for the unknown land. Taking the narrow pass between 
the river and the rocks, we arrived at a spot from which 
the entire plain could be seen spread out before us. To the 
left, on the opposite shore of the stream called by us 
" Eastern River,” there stretched away to the distant 
horizon a range of woods and forests, consisting of palms 
and other trees in full and splendid foliage. 

Behind these rose steep, barren mountains, piled one 
above the other, their summits reaching the clouds or 
clearly defined against the sky. 

Leaving behind us the verdant plain and continuing 
our way toward the mountain range, we found the con- 
trast increasingly perceptible. The grass was burned, 
and the land appeared dry and unfruitful. 

"This country is greatly changed, papa,” said Fritz, 
" since we were here last and met with buffaloes.” 

"We have never traveled as far as this, BTitz,” I said ; 
" and besides, we saw the country last year soon after 
the rainy season and before it had been exposed for 
months to the glowing heat of the sun. The soil is evi- 
dently rocky and sterile and requires frequent rain to 
soften it so as to produce vegetation.” 

On we walked, notwithstanding the sighs and groans 
of the boys, who only opened their parched lips to find 
fault with the country, calling it the Sahara of the island. 

[ 262 ] 


THE GREEN VALLEY — THE BEARS 


At last, when quite overcome with heat and fatigue, 
we reached a pleasant spot at the foot of a projecting 
rock and threw ourselves down, to rest in its welcome 
shade and gaze in silence on the scene before us. 

The blue mountains were clearly defined against the 
horizon, at a distance of twenty or thirty miles ; while 
the river, looking in the distance like a thread of silver, 
wandered in serpentine courses through the broad plain. 

We had not been resting long when Master Nip, with 
most ridiculous grimaces, began to smell about in all 
directions. Then, screaming hideously, he started off at 
full gallop toward the rocks, followed by the dogs. 

I supposed that he had discovered a troop of monkeys, 
but we were too much overcome with heat and thirst 
to follow them. We had, besides, just produced our pro- 
visions and were too busily engaged to move. 

Presently Fritz, who had his eyes fixed on something 
in the distance, exclaimed : " Papa, what is that yonder 
in the valley ? It appears to me like a man on horseback. 
And there is another, and a third,” he added ; ” and now 
they are all in full gallop. Can they really be the Arabs 
of the desert } ” 

"No, certainly not,” I replied with a laugh. "But 
take my telescope and tell me what you can make of 
this strange sight.” 

"It is strange, papa,” said the boy. "The moving 
objects look like herds of cattle, high-loaded wagons, or 
wandering haystacks. What can it all be.?” His brothers 
looked in turn through the glass, and both Ernest and Jack 
declared the great moving objects to be men on horseback. 

[ 263 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


I took the telescope myself, and discovered at a glance 
that the figures were gigantic ostriches. 

" O papa ! ” cried Jack, as I stated my conviction ; 
” a living ostrich ! Would n’t it be delightful to ride 
one and to have beautiful feathers for our hats } ” 

The birds were evidently approaching us, and I desired 
Fritz and Jack to call in the dogs and search for the 
monkey, while Ernest and myself concealed ourselves. 
After a long search they returned. Master Nip had 
scented water, and the party had refreshed themselves 
with a bath and filled their water flasks. 

All this time the ostriches were drawing nearer. There 
were five, one of them a rnale bird, as was shown by the 
large and beautiful tail feathers. 

''We must not startle them,” I said, "lest they begin 
to run. We could never expect to overtake birds of such 
fleetness. Fritz’s eagle might rival them by flying as 
swiftly as they run, but no horse could gallop so fast.” 

” How, then, do the Arabs catch them ? ” 

” Sometimes on horseback, but oftener by stratagem. 
When he finds himself pursued, the ostrich will run for 
hours in a circle of immense circumference, and the 
hunter keeps within the circle, but still follows, till the 
creature flags from fatigue, then, crossing the circle, he 
makes the capture.” 

"Is it true that the ostrich buries his head in the 
sand and then fancies no one can see him } ” asked 
Ernest. 

” It is said so, and I think with some truth. But hush! 
do not move. The birds are very near us.” 

[264] 


THE GREEN VALLEY — THE BEARS 


Coming upon us so suddenly, they appeared to be 
startled ; but as we stood still and held back the dogs, 
they took courage to approach, raising their arched necks 
and gazing with surprise at the unaccustomed spectacle. 

Unfortunately the impatient dogs escaped from our 
hold, and rushed, yelping and barking, upon the ostriches. 
Away they flew like the wind, seeming scarcely to touch 
the ground with their feet. But Fritz had uncovered the 
eyes of his eagle when the birds were first alarmed, and 
set him free to follow them. 

The beautiful male bird, being a little in the rear, 
was quickly pounced upon by the eagle, who, with one 
blow of his beak, brought the creature to the ground. 
We were too late to save its life, for the jackal and the 
dogs were quickly upon it, and we arrived at the spot 
only in time to gather up a few of the most beautiful 
feathers. 

''What a pity to kill such a beautiful creature ! ” said 
Fritz. " I am sure he could easily have carried two of 
us on his back. Why, he must be six feet high, at least ; 
and his neck would measure three feet more.” 

'' What can these creatures get to live upon in the 
desert, I wonder said Ernest. " Nothing grows there.” 

"It is said that the ostrich digests anything, even 
stones,” I replied; ''but his usual food consists of plants 
and shrubs. Yet most animals that inhabit the barren 
regions of a desert can live for days without food. The 
camel, as you know, has a kind of second stomach, in 
which he carries a sufficient supply of water to last for 
many hours.” 


[265] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


While continuing our walk towards a valley which 
I had seen in the distance, Ernest and Jack turned 
aside to follow the movements of the jackal, who was 
like the dogs in his habits and seemed now to make 
himself their leader. All at once they stood still by 
some withered shrubs and beckoned to us to join them. 

" Ostriches’ eggs ! ostriches’ eggs ! ” cried the boys, 
throwing their hats in the air as we overtook them ; and 
at their feet, in a hole in the sand, exposed to the sun, 
lay twenty eggs as large as a child’s head. 

That is a glorious discovery ! ” I said ; " but do not 
disturb the order in which the eggs are laid, or perhaps 
the mother will forsake them.” 

"What could we do with so many eggs asked Fritz. 

"Oh, I know,” cried Jack. "Take them home with 
us and lay them in the sand, to be hatched by the sun.” 

"That is more quickly said than done,” I remarked. 
" Those eggs would weigh more than twenty pounds, 
and who is to carry them ? Besides, the ostrich only 
leaves her eggs during the day ; at night she sits on 
them herself, covering them carefully.” 

The boys begged me to let them take home two eggs 
to show to their mother. I cautiously lifted two from 
the top, and to enable the boys to carry them easily, tied 
each in a piece of cloth, like a stone in a sling, and fas- 
tened the cloth by a string, so that it hung loosely from the 
hand and could be carried without danger of breaking. 

We also set up in the sand a cross made of two pieces 
of the heath stem, by which to find the nest easily when 
we should come again. 


[266] 


THE GREEN VALLEY — THE BEARS 


There were signs of strange animals, such as buffaloes, 
antelopes, and onagers, but no traces of the serpent. 

A little farther on we reached a spot which in this 
sterile region proved truly refreshing. A little spring 
flowed from the rock, forming a tiny brook, and we 
seated ourselves by its side, filled our water flasks, and 
thoroughly enjoyed the brief rest. 

While we were doing so the jackal, scratching in the 
ground, brought to our notice some small land turtles 
of the kind which live in marshy ground or near fresh 
water, and the boys contrived to take two of these 
along with them. 

Starting again, we came presently upon a green and 
fruitful valley. Herds of buffaloes and antelopes could 
be distinguished grazing peacefully in the distance, and 
but for the dogs we might without doubt have ap- 
proached nearer to them. 

In less than an hour we were near the place where 
Jack had caught the young jackal. Ernest, pale with 
fatigue, crept on in front of the party, with the dog 
Fawn, to a rocky cave which appeared in the distance, 
while we followed slowly, though we longed for its cool 
shelter. A cry of terror, the bark of the dogs, and a low 
growl suddenly startled us, and pale as death, Ernest 
rushed to me, exclaiming, " Don’t go in, papa ! there ’s 
a bear in the cave ; and look, he ’s coming out ! ” 

I placed my arm for a moment about the trembling 
boy, then let the dogs loose, and gun in hand, rushed 
toward the cave, followed by Fritz. To my horror we 
were met at the entrance by an enormous bear, which 
[267] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


the dogs were attacking furiously; and within the cave 
was another. 

Fritz set himself bravely to do battle with the latter, 
while I prepared to meet the first. 

Our first shots, fired together, though they wounded 
the bears, were not mortal, and I hesitated to fire again, 
lest I should injure the dogs. 

I saw that I had broken the under] aw of one and that 
Fritz had wounded the other in the forepaw, so that 
they had lost some of their natural strength if not of 
their courage. 

The pain of their wounds and the attacks of the dogs 
rendered them furious, and their struggles to defend 
themselves, added to their loud growling and the yelp- 
ing of the dogs, made the scene truly fearful. 

Making a sign to Fritz to follow, I went forward, and 
choosing a moment when the creatures were occupied 
with the dogs, shot one through the head, while the 
ball fired by Fritz passed through the heart of the other. 

" God be praised ! ” I earnestly exclaimed as they fell 
dead at our feet. ''We have escaped a great danger. 
Had these animals discovered us in our home, they 
might have found us unprepared to meet them.” 

"Are they not useful, now that they are dead ? ” 
asked Jack, presently. 

"Yes, my child, very useful. The flesh is much es- 
teemed, and the fur forms a most valuable article of 
commerce. The color, you observe, is a shining silver 
gray ; they probably belong to the species met with by 
Captain Clark and called the silver bear.” 

[ 268] 









THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


It was impossible for us to carry home our booty, and 
we proceeded to protect it as well as we could from jack- 
als and other beasts of prey, by covering it with branches 
and piling thorn bushes and prickly leaves at the entrance 
to the cave, after we had dragged it farther in. 

The ostrich eggs were also left buried in the sand, 
for it was growing late and the boys did not wish to be 
burdened with their weight. 

A glad welcome awaited us at the tent, where we 
arrived a little after sunset. The mother and Frank had 
gathered wood for our watch fires and prepared supper. 

During our absence they had discovered a path through 
the bushes to the foot of a rock, where they had found a 
peculiar kind of white lime, or pipe-clay, of which my wife 
thought we might make cups and saucers and plates. They 
had also met with bamboo cane suitable for pipes for carry- 
ing the water which flowed sparkling from the rock. 

"A hole might be dug in the ground,” added my 
wife, ” to which the water could be conducted and be 
an inestimable boon to our animals. I broke off a piece 
of the rock and with that and the white clay have 
constructed a fireplace for cooking.” 

"And papa,” said Frank, "some of the pieces of 
white clay looked like glass after they were burned.” 

" Like glass .? ” I said. " I will try it when the watch 
fires are lighted.” Frank watched me attentively as I 
softened the white clay and rolled it into two balls, 
which I then placed in the hot cinders of the watch fire. 

"We must leave them all night, Frank,” I said, " and 
perhaps we may find two glass balls in the morning.” 

[270] 



THE EXPEDITION OF THE BOYS 


Wi 


J^AKING my sleeping household early, I pro- 
ceeded to examine the pipe-clay balls. They 
had become hard and glazed, but, owing to 
the great heat, were brittle ; and cups and saucers made 
thus would have been useless. 

After breakfast and our morning prayer we harnessed 
the animals to the cart and started for the bears’ cave. 

Fritz, who was a little in advance, no sooner came in 
sight of the entrance than he cried out : '' Make haste ! 
make haste ! Here is an immense flock of turkeys. One 
of them is parading in front of the cave as if he were a 
sentinel.” 

This sentinel bird was very large, with a bright-red 
comb on his head and lappets of the same color under 
his throat. He had a long beak, and a collar of white 
feathers about his neck, falling upon a purple-red breast. 

[271] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

Other and smaller birds were inside, driving him back 
with loud cries and rustling wings. 

We had been watching this amusing spectacle for 
some minutes, when a rushing sound of flapping wings 
in the air startled us. Looking up, we saw an enormous 
bird descending to the cave. Fritz fired, and the bird, 
falling heavily, struck his head against the rock and 
broke his neck. 

The dogs, who had been held in leash, broke loose at 
this and rushed into the cave, putting to flight the birds 
inside, which rose slowly in the air, followed by the 
majestic watcher. Fritz fired again, but the ball left him 
unhurt ; and the bird, which was evidently the king 
vulture, soared majestically to the clouds and was soon 
out of sight. 

Two, however, remained, as the result of Fritz’s gun- 
shots — one which much resembled a turkey, and the 
large one, which, by its size, I imagined must be a con- 
dor, for it measured six feet from its beak to the tip of 
its tail. 

Entering the cave, I found that only the eyes and 
the tongue of one of the bears had been meddled with. 
Assisted by the boys, I began at once to skin and cut 
up the animals and prepare the flesh by salting, which 
occupied two whole days, during which we had erected 
our tent outside the cave. At the end of that period we 
loaded the cart with the skins and the salted flesh and 
journeyed to Prospect Hill, that the latter might be 
smoked in the arbor. This was more especially neces- 
sary for the hams, which were large, and which we hoped 
[272] 


THE EXPEDITION OF THE BOYS 


would prove equal to the boar hams of Westphalia. The 
birds of prey were totally unfit for food, as birds which 
feed on carrion always are, but we plucked them and 
cleansed the feathers. 

I had always regretted that the tree from which we 
obtained the bark that gave the aromatic flavor to the 
roasted peccaiy should grow so far away. However, I told 
the boys that I had seen in this neighborhood several 
bushes which I believed were the pepper plant. 

Clusters of berries, somewhat like currants but not so 
large, grew on these bushes ; but the clusters being fuller 
and the berries closer to each other, they bore a greater 
resemblance to bunches of grapes, though the fruit varied 
greatly in color, some being red and some green or white. 
The boys readily promised to assist in collecting young 
shoots to plant at Falcon’s Nest as well as at other places, 
on our return home. 

The boys had been for some time anxious to go about 
the island by themselves, but I could not spare them 
until the hams and other portions of the bears had 
been smoked and dried so as to be fit to add to our 
stores. 

This being at length done, I told them they might 
prepare for their journey. When the time really came, 
Ernest held back and asked to be allowed to remain at 
home, while Frank begged me to let him accompany 
Fritz and Jack. 

Lightfoot, Storm, and Grumbler were saddled ; the 
three riders sprang to their seats, waving their hands in 
farewell and looking happy and delighted. 

[273] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


''We must learn to trust them to their own resources,” 
I said, as my wife and I saw them ride away, accom- 
panied by their dogs. "They are growing manly and 
strong. I could even now, if needful, trust you and his 
three brothers to the care of Fritz-.” 

While examining the rock at the back of the bears’ 
cave, during the boys’ absence, I discovered a number of 
long asbestos threads, which I knew when melted would 
form talc. This I could make valuable for windowpanes, 
it being clearer and more transparent than the fish glue I 
had used for the windows of our rock house. 

As the evening approached, my wife placed on the 
stone fireplace a pot containing two of the salted bears’ 
feet to stew for supper, and we seated ourselves to wait 
with anxiety and impatience the return of our boy hunters. 
Hearing at last the clatter of approaching hoofs and dis- 
tant sounds of joyful cheering, I went to meet the riders. 

Like military hussars, they slackened rein when they 
saw me, sprang from their chargers and took off the sad- 
dles, leaving the animals free to enjoy the sweet grass 
and the fresh water from the brook, then hastened to 
join their mother at the tent. 

Jack and Frank carried each a young kid across his 
shoulders, while the movement in Fritz’s game bag gave 
the impression that it contained something alive. 

"The chase forever, papa!” cried Jack, "the chase 
forever I And what splendid fellows Storm and Grum- 
bler are to run over level ground 1 They so tired the 
little creature we followed that we were able at last to 
catch it with our hands.” 


[274] 


THE EXPEDITION OF THE BOYS 

'' Yes, papa ! ” exclaimed Frank. " And Fritz has two 
such pretty rabbits in his bag. And we were very near 
bringing you some honey, mamma, only we stopped to 
hear the cuckoo.’^ 

Ah, but you forgot the best ! ” cried Fritz. '' We 
met a troop of antelopes, and they were so tame we 
might have brought one home easily, had we wished.” 

” Ah, stay, my boy,” I said ; have forgotten the 

best — the goodness of God in bringing you safe home. 
But presently you must give us an account of your 
journey, from the beginning.” 

The boys ran hastily to refresh themselves by bathing 
their faces and hands and to remove the game bags and 
arms from their girdles. The story of their day’s adven- 
tures was then begun by Fritz. 

” When we left this morning,” he said, ” we proceeded 
at a quick trot through the green valley and soon reached 
the narrow defile between the rocks and the river, coming 
presently to a slight elevation from which we could see 
a large extent of country. From this point we noticed a 
herd of pretty animals, but I could not tell whether they 
were goats, antelopes, or gazelles. A thought struck me 
that we might drive them along the bank of the river 
towards Wood Grange. 

” We separated, placing ourselves at different points 
and holding back the dogs. Frank was to keep along 
the bank of the river; Jack placed himself at a distance 
from him ; and I, mounted on the onager, stood at a 
point opposite Jack. We advanced cautiously toward the 
pretty creatures, many of which, on seeing us, started 

[275] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

off at a rapid pace. Then they became confused and 
stood close together, staring at us wildly. At that mo- 
ment we let the dogs loose and galloped after them 
at full speed ourselves. The animals turned from us 
towards the narrow defile, as we intended they should, 
for we had placed ourselves at these different points to 
oblige them to do so. 

" I wanted to drive them to Wood Grange, and knew 
this could be done only by making them prisoners in the 
defile. We tied a piece of string, at about four feet from 
the ground, across the whole breadth of the pass, and 
upon it fastened the ostrich feathers from our caps and 
some pieces of old rags from our game bags. The wind 
blew them wildly about, so that when the animals at- 
tempted to go back they were alarmed, and turned to 
proceed, as I wished, towards Wood Grange ; for on one 
side was the water, on the opposite side were we, the dogs 
at various points, and behind them these alarming-looking 
feathers and rags. And therefore, papa, as they could 
only go forward, I have really succeeded in attracting 
them to our farm.” 

''Well done, my boy ! the idea was a clever one. 
But tell me,” I said, "what made you think of it.? ” 

"In a book named 'Travels in South Africa,’ by 
Captain Levaillant, a naturalist, I read an account of 
the methods adopted by the natives of the Cape of- 
Good Hope to tame antelopes by bringing them into 
association with other animals; so I thought I would 
try the experiment.” 

" I am glad you remember what you read, Fritz,” I 
[276] 


THE EXPEDITION OF THE BOYS ' 

replied. But where did you find the rabbits, and how 
do you propose to keep them .? Rabbits multiply so 
quickly that our fields and gardens would soon be 
overrun with them.” 

” Ah, but you forget, papa,” replied the boy. ” We 
have two small islands on which these pretty little crea- 
tures could live without being the slightest trouble to us, 
and we should not only have their flesh as an additional 
store of food for our table but their fur also.” 

”You are quite right, Fritz,” I said. ” Have you 
brought living rabbits .? ” 

” Yes, papa ; two. We saw a number of them scamper- 
ing about, and I sent up my eagle. He brought me three, 
— two alive and one dead.” 

” Papa,” said Jack, ” is n’t it my turn to speak now .? 
I want to tell you what Frank and I did.” 

” Of course. Jack,” I replied, smiling. ” How did you 
bring down those beautiful little kids .? ” 

” In a gallop, papa. Frank and I together. Fritz was 
at some distance away, following the rabbits, and we rode 
slowly behind him. The dogs were sniffing about in a 
restless manner over the thick grass, and presently they 
started two animals that we took for hares. Oh, how 
they did run and spring ! But we kept them in sight 
and followed on Storm and Grumbler, at full gallop, 
sometimes even leaving the dogs behind. In about a 
quarter of an hour they lost breath and fell panting on 
the ground. We sprang olf our saddles, drove back 
the dogs, and found that instead of hares the creatures 
were two beautiful little fawns. We lifted them in our 

[277] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

arms, slung them on our shoulders, and rode back to 
Fritz. And that is the history of our hunting exploits.” 

"A very successful one,” I replied, "if you take care 
of the little creatures and can tame them. I do not think 
they are fawns, however, but a kind of dwarf antelope. 
And now tell me. Jack, what has made your face so 
inflamed and swollen ! One would think you had been 
attacked by a swarm of mosquitoes.” 

"No, papa,” replied Jack, laughing. " I got my 
wounds by meddling. We were trotting slowly home 
when I noticed a bird that flew past us to a tree, with a 
whir and a rustle of the wings, and waited till we came 
up to fly off again to another tree. Fritz thought it was 
the honey cuckoo, which attracts the attention of travelers 
as if wishing to inform them that honey could be found 
in a tree close by. 

" Frank and I were quite ready to be attracted, and 
the bird presently alighted on a tree, ceased its song, 
and stood still. We stopped also, and after examining 
the tree, found a bees’ nest in the hollow trunk not far 
from the ground. We all talked about what we ought to 
do to get some of the honey, but in our wisdom there 
was very little common sense ; for when Fritz at last 
proposed that we should suffocate the bees with sulphur, 

' I lighted a match and threw it into the tree, never 
thinking of stopping up the hole. 

" In a moment, of course, the bees were upon me. 
They attacked my face and hands, and some even got 
into my hair. I could only leap upon my buffalo and 
gallop away from my enemies. I touched my face with 
[278] 


THE EXPEDITION OF THE BOYS 

wet earth as soon as I got clear of them, but it still 
burns and smarts terribly.” 

”You have plenty of courage, my boy,” I said, "but 
very little caution. Go now to your mother ; she will 
bathe your face with something to cool it and allay the 
pain.” 

After the antelope kids and the rabbits had been cared 
for, I showed the boys the discovery I had made among 
the rocks in the bears’ cave of a species of asbestos, 
and explained to them the great advantage it would be 
to us to make talc for windowpanes ; but they scarcely 
looked at it and were much more interested when the 
mother called them to supper. The odor from the 
bears’ feet was very tempting, but they bore such a re- 
semblance to human hands as they lay on the dish that 
Jack exclaimed, in the words of the ogre in "Jack and 
the Beanstalk,” " Fe, fi, fo, fum ! I smell the flesh of an 
Englishman ! ” 

His mother was shocked at the suggestion, but the 
boys were glad enough to enjoy the tempting morsels 
in spite of Jack’s remark. After we had finished, the 
watch fire was lighted and we retired to our tent. 

I aroused my children early, as I intended that there 
should be at least one more excursion before returning 
to Rock House, where many arrangements had to be 
made in preparation for the approaching rainy season. 

We had worked well thus far. The flesh of the bears 
had been salted and smoked, the fat melted down, and 
we had a large number of bamboo canes ; but I wished 
to discover whether the ostrich had deserted the eggs 

[279] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


we had left in the sand and to obtain a supply of gum 
from the euphorbia, or purple-flowering spurge. On our 
last expedition I had noticed this gum oozing from the 
trunk of one of these trees and knew it would be useful 
in many ways. 

Fritz gave up his onager to me and rode the foal, 
little Swift, which promised to become a clever courser. 
Ernest remained at home to help his mother, for the 
quiet, indolent boy took very little interest in these 
fatiguing excursions. Frank gladly joined us ; he was 
a spirited little fellow and as fond of enterprise as Jack. 

We set out with the two old dogs, leaving Fawn and 
Brownie as a bodyguard to those who remained at the 
tent. Jack rode the buffalo, and Frank the young ox. 
Taking the direction we had followed on our first visit 
to Wood Grange, we came presently to the marshy 
ground where Fritz had caught the turtle. Here we 
filled our water flasks, and proceeding onwards, arrived 
shortly at the rising ground from which we had seen 
the ostriches. 

We had given it the name "Arabian Watchtower," 
because Fritz had mistaken the birds for Arabs on 
horseback. 

I allowed Jack and Frank to press forward on a gal- 
lop, on condition that they should not allow me to lose 
sight of them. Fritz and I remained to collect the gum 
of the euphorbia tree, which grew at this spot. On dis- 
covering the tree I had made incisions in the bark, 
from which gum had flowed abundantly, and the hollow 
of a bamboo cane received and carried it. 

[280] 


THE EXPEDITION OF THE BOYS 


As we continued, we saw our advance guard at a 
great distance in front, but still in sight on the broad 
level plain. Presently Fritz said : " Papa, did you not 
tell me this gum was poisonous Why have you gathered 
such a quantity ? ” 

" I mean to use it to destroy the apes if they again 
attack the farm,” I replied, ”as well as the insects that 
injure the trees and vegetables.” 

We followed on quickly after our cavaliers, who had 
halted within sight of a number of ostriches. Fritz, 
who wished very much to capture a living ostrich, had 
the forethought to tie firmly the beak of his eagle, so 
that, should he let the bird free to bring down one of 
the ostriches, he would be unable to injure it. The 
creatures were coming towards us, and hastily dismount- 
ing, I gave up the onager to Fritz, that he might be 
able to follow the fugitive more speedily. 

He was only just in time. Four magnificent birds 
were approaching us with almost incredible swiftness, 
followed by the two young riders, who, accompanied by 
the dogs, were driving the poor animals towards us. 
They were close within gunshot before they perceived 
us, and Fritz sent up his eagle, which at once pounced 
upon the head of the nearest ostrich ; but in conse- 
quence of his bound beak, he could only beat his wings 
on the creature’s back without hurting him. 

This, however, so confused and alarmed the bird that 
he could neither defend himself nor continue his flight. 
Jack quickly threw the . lasso, but instead of catching 
only the legs, as he intended, entangled the string in 
[281] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


the wings. The bird fell at once to the ground, and 
the boys set up shouts of joy as they ran to the spot. 
Fritz called off his eagle and drove away the dogs, 
while I lost no time in endeavoring to set the wings 
free and to tie the legs. The struggles of the bird were 
fearful, and the violence with which he kicked right 
and left with his entangled legs made us fear to ap- 
proach him. I had begun to despair of making him 
a prisoner, when' happily I thought of . covering his 
eyes by throwing my handkerchief over his head. The 
struggles ceased the moment I did so, and I rushed 
up quickly to tie it around the neck. We had no 
further trouble ; all resistance ceased, and I was able 
to. fasten about his body a broad piece of dogfish skin 
with two openings for the tips of the wings, and on 
each side of this to attach a piece of strong cord, that 
we might lead him. I also tied the two legs together 
with a cord of sufficient length to allow him to run 
fast but not to make his escape. 

" Do you remember having read of the manner in 
which the natives of India subdue the newly captured 
elephants ” I asked the boys. 

" Oh, yes ! ” cried Fritz. They bind the wild animal 
with strong leading reins between two tame elephants, 
and also fetter its trunk.” 

” All right,” replied Jack, laughing ; '' but we ought 
to have two tame ostriches to lead this one, and where 
are we to find them } ” 

‘‘True, my boy,” I replied with a laugh; ” but must 
they be ostriches } Have we not Storm and Grumbler } ” 
[282] 


THE EXPEDITION OF THE BOYS 


O papa,” cried all the boys, ” that is a famous plan ! 
It is sure not to fail, but what a strange sight it will be 
— this trio of animals ! ” 

I led Storm and Grumbler one on each side of the 
animal, who still lay on the ground, and added to the 
strings which I had fastened to the skin of the dogfish 
two leading reins, one of which I attached to the bridle 
of Storm, and the other to the horns of Grumbler. 
Then Jack and PTank mounted and sat firmly, waiting 
for what would follow. 

Removing the handkerchief from the bird’s eyes, I 
placed myself at a little distance to observe the result. 
For some moments he remained without moving, as if 
sulky ; then with a sudden spring rose to his feet, and 
seeing no obstacle in his way, darted forward so quickly 
that the sudden jerk of the reins brought him to his 
knees. He was soon up again and began to struggle 
violently, rushing right and left in vain attempts to 
escape. But the strong necks of Storm and Grumbler 
were proof against all these efforts, and after one more 
attempt to beat his confined wings, he gave way and 
sank again to the ground. 

After a few minutes’ rest a slight touch of the whip 
brought the captive to his feet, and as Storm and Grum- 
bler at the same moment moved forward, he seemed 
inclined to accommodate himself to their steps and was 
completely subdued. The boys put their coursers into 
a gallop, and Fritz and I followed, greatly amused to 
observe how the strides of the ostrich, which were 
limited by the length of the string attached to his legs, 
[283] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


were still long enough to enable him to keep up easily 
with the gallop of Storm and Grumbler. 

After a long run I told the boys to draw rein and 
walk on slowly with their prisoner to the Arabian Watch- 
tower and wait for us there. Fritz and I then turned 
our steps to the spot in which we had left the eggs of 
the ostrich. I had brought with me a bag and some 
cotton wooL to wrap them in. On reaching the place 
we found signs that the hen bird had been sitting on 
her eggs, and it raised joyful hopes in our minds that 
we might very soon find running about little ostrich 
chicks, which the heat of the sun by day and the mother’s 
care at night had brought into existence. 

We therefore took possession "of only a few, leaving 
the rest to the mother’s care ; and after packing our 
fragile treasures in the cotton wool and placing them 
in the bag, I mounted Swift, with the eggs in front of 
me, and started to rejoin the boys and their captive. 
From thence we at once proceeded to the tent at the 
bears’ cave, and passing through the green valley on our 
way, arrived safe, rather earlier than we were expected. 

The admiration expressed by my wife when she saw 
the ne\Y arrival was quickly turned to anxiety. 

" I shall want you to discover an iron mine next, if 
your new companion can swallow iron, as I suppose he 
can from what I have heard. And, my dear boys,” she 
exclaimed, addressing Jack and Frank, ” how do you 
suppose we are to feed that enormous creature, and 
where is he to live } I cannot see that he will be of 
any possible use.” 


[284] 


THE EXPEDITION OF THE BOYS 

'' Mamma, I will teach him to carry me on his 
back,” exclaimed Jack, "as Storm does. And some 
day, if we find that our island is joined to Africa or 
South America, I shall be able to get to these places 
in a few days and bring back all sorts of news. He 
flies like the wind, and his name ought to be Hurri- 
cane ; and Ernest shall have Storm, if only I may 
learn to ride the ostrich.” 

" But, papa,” said Frank, almost in tears, " ought 
Jack to have the ostrich all to himself.? You know I 
helped to hunt him, and it was Fritz’s eagle that brought 
him down.” 

"Very good,” I said; "but in that case, as the un- 
fortunate bird belongs to all three of you, it must be 
divided into three parts. The head belongs to Fritz, 
because that was the part which the eagle seized, and 
you and Jack must each have the half of the body which 
was tied to the animal you rode, with the one wing and 
one leg.” 

This caused a laugh among the boys, and I settled 
the matter in this way : "If Jack succeeds in taming 
the creature,” I said, "and in teaching him to receive a 
rider on his back and to answer the movements of the 
bridle like a horse, then I am sure he will deserve to 
consider the animal his own, as a reward for his exer- 
tions. From this time, therefore, he is responsible for 
the training of the ostrich.” 

It was now too late to resume our journey, but I un- 
tied the leading reins from Storm and Grumbler and 
set the prisoner free, to place him in safety for the 
[285] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

night. With the assistance of the boys I fastened the 
leading reins around the trunks of two trees, between 
which the ostrich could stand or lie down as he wished, 
but from which he could not escape. 

The rest of the day we employed in packing for re- 
moval to Rock House the many valuable things we had 
discovered during these excursions. 


[286] 



CHAPTER XXX 

THE OSTRICH TRAINER 

W E ROSE early to proceed on our way, but 
the ostrich was still so untamed that -we were 
obliged again to fasten him between Storm 
and Grumbler. On this occasion the whole household 
was included, as we intended to travel to our home at 
Rock Castle by way of Wood Grange and Falcon’s Nest. 
Storm and Grumbler being in charge of the ostrich, we 
harnessed the cow to the cart, which was loaded with 
the tent and the recent discoveries. Room was left for 
my wife to ride, while Jack and Frank rode Storm and 
Grumbler. I mounted Lightfoot, and Fritz was seated 
on Swift. 

We stopped for a day or two at the farm, to repair 
the house and stalls, so as to render them more safe 
[ 287 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


from wild beasts and more ready for our own accommo- 
dation when we should need to revisit the spot. 

The herd of antelopes had settled themselves com- 
fortably in the parklike spot, adding greatly to the beauty 
of the scenery. The number of pigs, goats, and poultry 
had increased, and we saw with pleasure the little kids, 
pigs, and chickens running about, rather shy of our 
approach, though not so wild as on our first appearance 
after the inroads of the apes. 

On, arriving with our various acquisitions at our grotto 
home in the rock, my wife’s first care was to throw 
open the doors and windows to admit the fresh air. The 
ostrich was tied between two bamboo canes in front of 
the dwelling, where I determined he should remain 
until he became quite tame. 

Those of the ostrich eggs which we fancied contained 
young birds were wrapped in wool and laid in a drying 
oven held at a certain heat by the aid of a thermometer, 
in the hope that they might be hatched. 

A hutch was constructed for the angora rabbits, and a 
comfortable nest of cotton, wool and straw, after which 
they were taken to Shark Island. 

My next care was for those gentle, graceful creatures, 
the antelopes. They were evidently unhappy and fret- 
ting in the confinement of Rock House, but for fear of 
the dogs, we could not set them free. 

We hastened, therefore, to take them to Whale Island, 
after having erected a shelter for them, and it was a 
pleasure to witness their delight when they found them- 
selves able to spring and bound as they pleased. A 
[288] 


THE OSTRICH TRAINER 

store of food was left on both islands, to supply the ani- 
mals till they had become used to the spot and knew 
how to provide for themselves. These arrangements 
occupied us for the whole of two days. 

One of the little tortoises found at Wood Grange I 
brought with me to Rock House, intending to place it 
in our vegetable garden to destroy the snails and in- 
sects ; but fearing the creature might also eat the young 
plants, I sent Jack to place it among the rushes near 
the duck pond. 

He had not been absent long, when we heard loud 
calls from the neighborhood of the marsh. " Fritz, Fritz, 
come and help me ! Make haste ! And bring a bamboo 
cane. with you.” 

I wondered what could be the cause of this commo- 
tion. Presently, to my surprise, the three boys appeared 
in high glee, carrying a net in which was imprisoned 
a magnificent eel. On the previous day Ernest had 
secretly laid two nets, and one of them contained the 
delicious fish, of which the mother at once took charge, 
promising to cook a portion of it for our dinner. The 
remainder was to be boiled in salt and water and rubbed 
with butter, to preserve it. 

The veranda or balcony, which we had partly erected 
while building the pigeon house, stood in front of our 
home in the rock. It was formed of tall, slender bamboo 
canes, and the beams of the roof, which sloped from 
the rock, were attached to a long thick plank which 
rested firmly on the canes. At the foot of the bamboo 
supports I planted young shoots of the vanilla and 
[289] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


pepper, as well as other creeping plants which could be 
trained around them, not only to improve the aspect of 
our rock house but also to form a pleasant shade during 
the hot weather. 

Hens and chickens brought from the farm were kept 
in a coop and fed daily with barley and crumbs, my wife 
having placed them in a shady spot under her own eye 
lest Master Nip or the jackal be inclined to make some 
unfortunate experiments in anatomy. 

The bears’ skins were laid in the sea near the shore 
to purify them, and under great stones to prevent them 
from being carried away by the waves or dragged from 
their position by sea crabs. 

The skins of the muskrats still emitted a powerful 
odor, and tying them together, we hung them in the 
open air under the roof of the veranda, that the interior 
of the dwelling might be free from the smell. 

The condor and the vulture were placed in the mu- 
seum, to be stuffed during the rainy season, when work 
out of doors would be impossible. I also brought in the 
pipe-clay and asbestos. With the former I hoped to 
make china vessels and windowpanes, and of the latter, 
wicks for our lamp. Every edible article had been 
given to my wife to add to the stores, but the gum of 
the euphorbia I took charge of myself, wrapping it care- 
fully in paper, on which I wrote Poison as a warning to 
my boys. 

These arrangements employed us two days ; and now 
several duties presented themselves, all apparently of 
equal importance — the cultivation of an acre of land 

[ 290] 


THE OSTRICH TRAINER 


to receive wheat, barley, and maize ; the taming of the 
ostrich ; the management of the ostrich’s eggs ; and the 
preparation of the bears’ skins. 

We decided that the field cultivation was the most 
important ; and the animals, being now accustomed to 
the yoke, were made useful in drawing the plow. But 
the plowshare was a light one and did not turn up the 
earth deep enough, and we had, therefore, to dig, hoe, 
and work with all our strength. It was not possible to 
follow this laborious employment during the heat of the 
day ; we therefore worked two hours in the morning 
and two in the evening. 

During the interyals of rest I had noticed that our 
poor captive, the ostrich, seemed still untamed. I was 
therefore compelled to use the means adopted in taming 
the eagle and stupefy him with the fumes of tobacco. 

The powerful effect it had rather alarmed me, for he 
fell to the earth and remained for some time motion- 
less. When at last he raised his head, I lengthened the 
string, that he might get up and walk around the bamboo 
canes to which he was tied. My wife then brought all 
kinds of nourishment which she thought the creature 
would eat, but although subdued and evidently mourn- 
ing over his fate, the poor captive refused everything 
that was offered him for three whole days and became 
so feeble and weak that we feared he would die. 

As a last resort she made balls of crushed maize 
mixed with butter, one of which she placed inside his 
beak. It was immediately swallowed with ease, and a 
second and third eagerly looked for. From that moment 
[291 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


his appetite returned ; he ate whatever was offered him, 
soon recovering his strength, and we began to doubt 
whether we should find enough food for him. The boys 
were surprised one day to find the creature swallowing 
small pebbles, but I explained that the ostrich requires 
these to enable it to digest its food, as small birds need 
gravel. 

Master Whirlwind, as Jack had named him, lived 
principally on vegetables, maize, and acorns, and became 
so tame that we could do as we liked with him. In less 
than a month he had been trained by Jack to walk and 
run with the boy on his back so cleverly that I began 
to consider to what extent we might make him useful 
as a riding horse. 

I could easily contrive a saddle, but how could a bit 
be made to suit a bird’s beak, or reins to guide an 
ostrich .? I was almost inclined to give it up, when I 
remembered that the change from light to darkness, or 
the contrary, greatly influenced the creature. 

I determined, therefore, to construct a leathern hood, 
somewhat like that worn by the eagle. It was to reach 
from the back of the head to the commencement of the 
beak in front and to have holes cut in it for the eyes 
and ears. Having fitted this to the bird’s head, I 
fastened a ring on each side, and my wife sewed on 
strings for tying it under his throat. 

Over the eyeholes two square flaps were sewed, to be 
raised or let fall by a connection with the bridle, which 
was formed of a strap fastened at each end to the rings 
at the beak. I hoped by this arrangement to guide our 
[292] 


THE OSTRICH TRAINER 


feathered courser, for I had noticed that darkness would 
immediately bring the creature to a full stop, even while 
running swiftly. My plan was this : if the rider wished 
to go straight forward, both eyeholes would remain un- 
covered ; to make the creature turn to the left, he must 
let down the little curtain over the right eye, or if to 
the right, the left eye must be covered ; and to stop 
him, the light must be shut out from both eyes. 

The performance proved more difficult to carry out 
than I had expected ; but by degrees the tormented 
animal submitted, and appeared to understand in a very 
short time the meaning of the covered or uncovered 
eyes and to obey the movement of the bridle. 

The saddle was placed near the neck of the ostrich, 
resting partly on the shoulders and partly on the back, 
being fastened by a girth under the wings and across 
the breast. This position was necessary, as the slope 
of the back would have rendered it unsafe, and the 
shoulders are the strongest part of a bird’s back. 

We did not expect Master Whirlwind to act as a 
beast of burden but as a fleet courser, and with Jack as 
his rider, his journeys between Falcon’s Nest and Rock 
House were performed with astonishing rapidity. 

The wondrous qualities of this fleet steed created a 
little dissension among the boys, who were not pleased 
that Jack should be the sole proprietor. Jack, however, 
held fast to his new possession, and his brothers could not 
conceal their jealousy. I was therefore obliged to interfere. 

I must allow Jack to retain the ostrich,” I said, 
'' because he is not only lighter in weight than Fritz or 

[293] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


Ernest but more agile in his movements. Frank is not 
strong enough yet to manage so fleet a horse. At the 
same time, I give up the ostrich to Jack only on condi- 
tion that his brothers may use it occasionally, or when 
it is wanted for special service requiring swiftness.” 

Long before the education of the ostrich was com- 
pleted, Fritz had introduced me to three young ostriches 
which had been hatched in the oven. They were curious 
little creatures, delicately formed but with comical heads, 
and looked like young cygnets, with their yellow down 
and swanlike throats, as they trotted about on long 
stiltlike legs. 

One of them lived only a few hours, and although 
we carefully watched the two remaining chicks and fed 
them with lightly boiled eggs and milk mixed with 
cassava flour, they were all dead in three days. 

The preparation and cleansing of the bears’ skins 
formed our next employment. They had already been 
salted, dried, and scraped. Having no tan, I mixed 
honey with water, and after boiling it and waiting till it 
became sufficiently cool, soaked the skins in it for sev- 
eral days, till they were softened and fit to use as 
leather. 

The honey water had appeared so clear after being 
skimmed, that it struck me I might use some of it as a 
drink. Therefore, before using any for the skins, I had 
drawn off enough to All one of our bamboo-reed casks, 
and boiled it again with nutmeg, cinnamon, and spurge 
leaves. The result was most successful, for we found it 
both agreeable and refreshing. 

[294] 


THE OSTRICH TRAINER 


My work on the skins proved very successful. The 
leather was without a crease, free from the least un- 
pleasant smell, and the long fur so soft and shining 
that I felt delighted with the result of my labors. 

I was desirous next to try hat-making, and determined 
that my first trial should be a hat for Frank, of the civet 
rat or the beaver’s skin. After several attempts I produced 
a kind of felt, which I colored a bright red with cochi- 
neal, and then dipped in a solution of india-rubber to 
make it waterproof. I next prepared a wooden block 
of the . size and shape required, stretched the softened 
felt upon it, and after passing a hot iron over the fur to 
smooth it, left it to dry and become hard on the block. 

In the morning I had the satisfaction of presenting to 
my wife and the boys a well-made, light, firm, and ele- 
gant little red Swiss hat. My wife admired it greatly, 
and at once prepared to line it with silk and adorn it 
with a knot of ribbon and two large and two small 
ostrich feathers. This clever production was placed on 
the head of little Frank, and everybody said it became 
him admirably. 

As may be supposed, each of my boys begged me to 
make similar hats for them, and I promised to do so as 
soon as they could obtain for me the necessary material, 
either civet rats or beavers. I advised them to make 
half a dozen rat traps of a size large enough to admit 
the water rat, which has the most beautiful fur and is 
the largest of the species. But I told them these traps 
must be made to kill the animal at once, not to torture or 
imprison it with the prospect of a horrid death from dogs. 

[295] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


I decided, also, that every fifth animal they brought 
me should be mine, that I might obtain sufficient ma- 
terials to make a bonnet for their mother and a hat for 
myself. 

The boys readily agreed to this arrangement and went 
to work quickly with the traps, for the rainy season was 
close at hand and might come upon us without a 
moment’s warning. 

Success in hat-making encouraged me to attempt the 
manufacture of porcelain. I determined to look over 
my materials and make a trial. Our store of pipe-clay 
required cleansing, and the asbestos had to be beaten 
down into talc and mixed with water to soften it before 
we could begin. 

In one of the chests I found a number of glass beads 
of various colors, intended, we supposed, for barter with 
the savage nations of the South Sea Islands. These I 
broke with a hammer and crushed to a fine powder. 

The materials being now ready, I found that molds 
were required for the different vessels, and as these — 
being made of gypsum — also needed to be dried, our 
work did not proceed very rapidly. 

I was able, at last, to press the porcelain material into 
the molds and place them in the oven. When they were 
partly baked I sprinkled the powder of the glass beads 
over them in the shape of stars, and after many failures 
succeeded in producing a set of white china cups and 
saucers, a cream jug, sugar basin, and six small plates, 
which were smooth and glossy and enameled with many- 
colored stars. 


[296] 


THE OSTRICH TRAINER 

The shapes were far from perfect ; but they gave great 
satisfaction, and when Fritz filled the plates with rosy 
and golden fruit resting on green leaves the table 
presented a very attractive appearance. 

While we were thus engaged the rainy season began ; 
and as I could not leave home to obtain a fresh supply 
of materials for porcelain, I turned my attention to the 
condor and the vulture. The skins, which I had carefully 
removed with the feathers, were soaked in warm water into 
which I had thrown a little euphorbia gum to destroy the 
insects. I sewed them together and stuffed them firmly 
with cotton wool. Through the legs and also in the neck 
and under the shoulder of each wing I thrust pieces of 
cork to keep these parts firm. I was puzzled about the 
eyes, but at length determined to make four balls of por- 
celain of the necessary size, which I painted while half 
baked, and in this way restored the natural appearance 
of these birds. 

The condor, whose outstretched wings were supported 
by cane and strong wire, was fixed at one side of our 
living room against the partition, and the vulture on 
the highest of the bookshelves, in a standing position, as 
ornaments to our home. In all these performances the 
boys took great interest, working diligently with me. 

With these and other occupations the first few weeks 
of the rainy season were passing. But notwithstanding 
the lessons and daily readings, the time began to drag 
heavily. Fritz at last came to the rescue. 

'' Now,” said he, "that we have in the ostrich a rapid 
traveler by land, might we not contrive something to cut 
Ir [297] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


through the sea with equal speed ? What if we were to 
make a kayak, or Greenlander’s canoe ? ” 

The proposition was hailed with enthusiasm by us all, 
except the mother, who always felt anxious when we 
were on the water. I endeavored to reassure her by ex- 
plaining that a kayak was a wonderfully safe kind of 
canoe, covered with the skin of the seal and almost as 
buoyant as a lifeboat ; and she said no more. 

With plenty of material, and time enough to finish the 
skeleton of the boat before the end of the rainy season, 
we set about the work with eager interest. 

Long thick pieces of whalebone formed the sides of 
the canoe, which were joined at each end for stem and 
stern and fitted into a plank underneath for a keel. Split 
bamboo canes built up the sides over the whalebone curves, 
and the keel, which was at least twelve feet long, was 
strengthened by a band of copper running the whole length, 
into which I fixed an iron ring for mooring the boat. 

The deck, which was also made of split bamboo canes, 
covered the whole top of the canoe except for an open- 
ing in the middle, in which the rower could sit and use 
oars or paddles. 

All this occupied us so completely that the rain passed 
away and the sun shone bright and clear before our canoe 
was ready to be removed out of the cave. The sides 
were quickly covered with the skin of the seal, and in 
the fore part a mast with a three-cornered sail was fixed. 
When at length the little skiff was launched on the 
water, it bounded like a leather ball and floated so lightly 
that it drew scarcely an inch of water. 

[298] 


THE OSTRICH TRAINER 

Before Fritz, whom I considered the rightful owner, 
could be trusted out to sea alone in this fragile boat, his 
mother tried her ingenuity in making him a swimming 
dress, constructing it like a double sack, with openings 
for the head, arms, and feet. The material was to be 
soaked in a solution of india-rubber, the double por- 
tions — or rather the outside and the lining — being 
closely sewed together around the edges, with an opening 
between only sufficient to inflate it with air like a bal- 
loon. The material having been made air tight and the 
opening closed with cork, the dress would float and so 
support the wearer. 

At length, one fine morning, it was settled that Fritz 
should attire himself in his swimming dress, which he 
had purposely inflated with air, to prove it. He was wel- 
comed with shouts of laughter, for the bathing dress 
stuck out before and behind in a most ridiculous manner. 

Without seeming to notice the laughter, he marched 
forward with the greatest gravity, entered the water, and 
paddled like a duck across the creek to the shore of 
Shark Island ; then, with a shout of triumph, turned 
and swam back to us. 

We all hastened on board the yacht and rowed lus- 
tily to meet our brave young water stepper and con- 
gratulate him on his success ; but his naughty brothers 
would only dance around him, call him Punch, and laugh 
without control. 

This success caused us all great satisfaction, and the 
younger boys entreated their mother to make for each 
of them a swimming dress of the same description. 

[299] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


While we were on Shark Island we searched for the 
young antelopes, and, to make them tame and glad to 
see us, attracted them by throwing large handfuls of 
bruised maize, acorns, and salt, of which all animals 
are exceedingly fond. 

We also made a discovery which gave us great pleasure. 

In a spot almost inaccessible we came upon a clear 
and plentiful spring of pure running water, which the 
antelopes must have found, for the traces of their foot- 
steps were easily distinguished near it. 

Finding the plants on Shark Island in a flourishing 
condition, we embarked in the yacht for Whale Island 
to see if our hopes were to be equally realized there. 

At a short distance from the shore we met with large 
quantities of marine plants, which were a most welcome 
sight, for I hoped they would be acceptable to our new 
colony of rabbits. But on arriving at the island, although 
we saw nothing of them, their mischievous performances 
soon became too apparent. The dainty animals had 
gnawed the bark of the young trees, as the hares do in 
winter, and entirely eaten up the palm-tree shoots which 
I had planted. The coconut stems they had spared, prob- 
ably on account of toughness and the resinous taste. 

We gave our little colony a plentiful supply of food, 
and before leaving the island, proceeded to the spot on 
which we had found the stranded whale. 

The birds had removed all signs of the flesh, but 
thfe skeleton remained nearly perfect, and the sun and 
wind had bleached and purified the bones to a delicate 
whiteness. 


[300] 


THE OSTRICH TRAINER 


Ten or twelve joints of the vertebrae, which I thought 
might be made useful, we strung upon a strong cord, fas- 
tened to our yacht, and towed across the creek towards 
Rock Island. 

I had long had in mind the making of a mill for 
crushing grain, and it appeared to me that the joints of 
the vertebrae were sufficiently large and strong for that 
purpose. To make a stamping or crushing machine of 
stone or hard wood was beyond my power, but blocks of 
wood were necessary to raise the crushers, and to these 
the joints of the whale could be easily fastened. I har- 
nessed Storm to the wheeled sledge and took the road to 
the forest near the Jackal River, accompanied by Floss and 
Brownie. The boys, as I supposed, were rat-hunting. 

I soon found a tree with a beautiful upright trunk of 
about two feet in thickness and quite suitable for my 
purpose. Marking it to distinguish it from the rest, and 
loading my sledge with clay from the loam pit close by, 
I turned my steps homeward, reaching the house long 
before the boys returned, though I also had missed the 
dinner hour. 

Late in the evening and just as we were beginning to 
grow anxious. Jack arrived on his fleet steed, the others 
following in the distance, on Lightfoot and Grumbler, 
the latter laden with the booty in two sacks. 

The contents of the sacks were quickly exhibited — 
four wild birds, twenty muskrats, a kangaroo, a monkey, 
two animals of the hare species, and half a dozen beaver 
rats, which greatly resemble the muskrat. The creatures 
like hares appeared to be of the kind spoken of by Buffon 

[301 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

as having black breasts and long tails, and called tolays. 
Fritz had also a large bundle of thistles. 

During supper Fritz gave us a description of their 
expedition. They had spent nearly the whole day in the 
neighborhood of Wood Grange, attracting the ondatras 
to the traps with red carrots, and the beaver rats by little 
fish or earthworms. 

" And for what are all those thistles intended, Fritz } ” 
I asked. 

" I found them in my wanderings,” he replied. "The 
thorns are formed like hooks, and I thought the plant 
might be useful for carding wool or separating the hairs 
of fur.” 

This discovery pleased me greatly ; not only would it 
be useful for the purpose named by Fritz but in many 
other ways. 

He had also brought a small cinnamon tree to be 
planted in the vegetable garden, and this was welcomed 
by his mother with great satisfaction. 

We decided to defer all preparation of the booty till 
the following morning, and after our usual evening devo- 
tions we retired to rest, tired with the day’s exertions. 


[302 ] 



CHAPTER XXXI 


THE CRUSHING-MACHINE 
HARVEST 


A PLENTIFUL 


^HE removal of the skin from the animals killed 
in hunting was always a troublesome undertaking, 
especially to the boys, and I at length thought of 
a plan which, if I could carry it out, appeared likely to 
lighten the task. 

I searched among our ship stores and in the surgeon’s 
chest found a large syringe, which, with a few modifi- 
cations, served my purpose admirably. I perforated the 
stopper and made an opening in the piston, in which I 
fitted two cork pegs, and had in my possession a machine 
for compressing air, almost like an air pump. 

As the boys gathered to assist in the unpleasant 
work of skinning the animals, I gave them a military 
salute and exhibited my instrument. They shouted with 
laughter and exclaimed, ” Papa has a syringe ; what can 
it be for — a chemist’s shop.?” 

[303] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


I lifted the kangaroo from the ground, hung it by 
its hind legs to a tree, and cut an opening in the skin 
just below the breast ; then inserting the mouth of the 
syringe, I blew into it with all my strength and drew 
the piston up and down to pump the air between the 
flesh and skin. 

The skin puffed out in every part, altering the shape 
of the animal in a most amusing manner and only 
adhering in a few spots of not the least importance. 

These I separated with my knife and removed the 
whole from the animal, the performance having occu- 
pied less than half the usual time. 

"O papa, what a capital invention!” exclaimed the 
boys. 

” Papa must be a conjurer,” cried Jack. ” I can’t 
understand how it is done.” 

”Very simply,” I replied. "Between the skin and 
the flesh of all animals there are thousands of little 
bladders or cells, formed of a fatty substance. If these 
are filled with air they burst, and the skin separates 
from the flesh and is easily removed. This device is 
not new ; the Greenlanders have been acquainted with 
it for years. When they have killed a seal or sea 
horse, they blow between the skin and the flesh, which 
causes the creature to float more lightly as they tow 
it to shore ; and the skin can be removed with the 
greatest ease.” 

With the syringe the work of skinning the animals 
was greatly lightened, and in two days we finished what 
would otherwise have occupied a week. 

[ 3 ° 4 ] 


THE CRUSHING-MACHINE 


This done, I determined on the following day to visit 
the forest and cut down, with the help of the boys, the 
tree I had marked as suitable for making blocks for the 
crushing mill. We started early with a cartload of ropes, 
saws, axes, and other useful tools. 

On arriving at the tree, I desired Fritz and Jack to 
climb to the top and saw off the highest and largest 
branches, so that the tree in falling might not crush 
its neighbors. They then tied ropes to the upper part, 
that we might from a safe distance guide it in its fall. 

Fritz and I then began cutting the trunk with a per- 
pendicular saw at the side opposite the cords. It was 
slow, hard work ; but when we had cut it nearly 
through, we all placed ourselves at the ropes, and by 
pulling with our united strength, heard the trunk crack, 
saw it totter, and at last fall slowly to the ground in 
an open space, without accident to ourselves or injury 
to the other trees. The branches and shoots were then 
lopped off, and the trunk sawed into blocks four feet 
long. Smaller ones for other purposes were cut from 
the large branches, and the remainder, with the young 
shoots, was left to dry in the sun for firewood. 

This work occupied us two days, and on the third 
I carried home four large and two small blocks, with 
which and the vertebrae of the whale I was able to com- 
plete my crushing machine in a very short time. We 
tried it first with some grains of rice ; but turning the 
small iron wheel which made the blocks move up and 
down like a sledge hammer was heavy and tedious 
work that we did not relish. The bones of the whale, 

[305] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


however, crushed the rice to powder in a few minutes 
and rendered it useful for cooking in ways that were 
impossible while it remained whole. 

One evening we noticed that our domestic fowls 
returned home with full crops and apparently satisfied 
after an unusual feast. 

I had almost forgotten the field in which had been 
sowed wheat, barley, and maize before the rainy season. 
It struck me now that these turkeys and fowls had 
come from the direction of the wheat field, and upon 
going to examine the damage done, I was astonished 
to find the corn quite high and the grain fully ripe, 
although little more than four months had elapsed since 
it had been sowed. I knew, therefore, that in the 
future we should be able to obtain two crops a year. 

I prepared for harvesting by clearing a large space in 
front of the veranda for a threshing floor. The ground 
had become hardened by the heat of the sun, and by 
frequently pouring water on the surface, beating with 
sticks, and then leading the animals across it to tread 
it down, we made it as hard and smooth as a floor. 
This completed, we repaired early one morning to the 
field with our sickles, followed by Storm and Grumbler, 
who carried large baskets or panniers on their backs to 
receive the grain. 

I wished to adopt the Italian method of reaping, as 
it occupied less time. I told the boys to take as many 
ears as they could hold in the left hand, cut them 
from the straw as far down as could be reached with 
the right, and throw them into the baskets carried by 
[306] 


A PLENTIFUL HARVEST 


the animals, who were to follow the reapers closely, led 
by Jack or Ernest. 

They soon caught the idea and went rapidly to 
work, so that by evening the field was reaped, and 
we had gathered a large store of grain in the ear. 

My wife seemed to consider that it was anything 
but economy to leave behind all the short ears not 
reached by the sickle, and the straw which would be 
so useful for the stables and stalls. 

"It is made economical by the Italians, who are 
famous farmers," I replied; "for by cutting the grain 
in this way they also obtain food for their cattle. In 
a few weeks grass grows to a good height amid the 
stubble, and they mow it all down together. The short 
ears remain among the blades of grass, and the whole 
is turned over in the sun, as we make hay, and forms 
during winter a very useful substitute for grass and 
corn in Italian stables. We must, I fear, adopt the 
ancient method of treading out the grain and thresh- 
ing it, for we have no other means of separating it 
from the husk." 

Threshing was performed by spreading the bundles 
of grain on the new threshing floor and letting the 
four boys, each mounted on his usual steed, ride 
the animals across it in every direction. The heavy 
stamping of the hoofs separated the grain from the 
husks, and the dust and chaff flew in clouds around us. 

The boys allowed the animals now and then to pause 
for rest, and the temptation to take a mouthful of 
the grain that lay at their feet was too strong to be 

[ 307 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


resisted. My wife smiled as she observed this, and 
said, " It will lessen our store, but they deserve a 
handful now and then for their exertions.” 

” Our threshing is nearly completed,” I replied, 
''and they have not eaten much; besides, it is said 
in the Scripture, ' Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that 
treadeth out the corn.’ ” 

While we were gathering and sifting the grain, our 
feathered folk — cackling, gobbling, and quacking — 
came to the threshing floor to have their share. The 
boys were about to drive them away, for they picked 
at the loose grain in the most hasty manner ; but I 
prevented them, saying : ” Let our pensioners have 

their share. What we lose in grain will be returned 
to us in the improved condition of our poultry.” 

And after all, we had no cause for complaint ; when 
I had measured the produce of our harvest, I found 
that we had nearly a hundred bushels of grain to add 
to our store, including wheat, maize, and barley. 

We had scarcely finished all this work when the shoal 
of herrings arrived ; but this time we stored only two 
barrels after they had been salted and smoked. I was 
more anxious for the arrival of the seals, as I required 
skins to complete the canoe. I wished to make the deck 
water tight and to form a kind of reservoir for water 
beneath it, in the stern of the boat, as well as a place 
to carry arms and provisions, near the prow. 

When, finally, this had been done I prepared two 
harpoons, to be supported on the water by bladders filled 
with air, and fastened them to the boat with straps. 

[ 308 ] 


A PLENTIFUL HARVEST 


Fritz equipped himself for his first canoe voyage 
in his swimming dress, inflating it until he looked 
like a gigantic frog. 

His brothers greeted his comical appearance with 
shouts of laughter, and even his mother joined them, 
although she felt anxious for the boy’s safety. I pre- 
pared the yacht, that she might follow him with the 
boys and me, but the canoe was tossing on the waves 
long before we could embark. To show us his power 
over the canoe, Fritz began to perform all sorts of 
tricks ; first paddling on ahead for a considerable dis- 
tance, then causing the canoe to rock fearfully, and 
at last, to show that it was too buoyant to sink under 
water, completely capsizing it. 

As it righted itself the shouts of delight uttered by 
his brothers so elated Fritz that he paddled his canoe 
to the mouth of the Jackal River, and the swift current 
carried him out to sea before he was aware. 

This rather alarmed me, and leaving the mother and 
little Frank on shore, I stepped into the boat with 
Jack and Ernest and started in pursuit of the thought- 
less voyager. We made our way towards the reef of 
rocks on which the ship had been wrecked, as I felt 
sure that was the direction Fritz had taken. 

For a long time the yacht sailed steadily on, but no 
sign of the canoe could be discovered, even through our 
telescope. At last I saw in the distance a thin wreath 
of smoke curling in the air, and in a few moments heard 
the feeble report of a pistol. 

It was a great relief to me to hear this sound, which 

[309] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


I knew must be a signal from Fritz, and after firing 
an answering one, I steered towards the spot from 
which the sound came, knowing that we could reach it 
in ten minutes. 

In less than that time we caught sight of our sailor 
and presently joined him, amid loud acclamations and 
shouts of welcome. But our astonishment was great at 
observing on a fragment of rock a large yet not full- 
grown walrus, which our young hero of the sea had 
killed with a harpoon. 

He excused himself for the anxiety he had given us by 
saying that he had been unable to withstand the current. 
"And then," continued the boy, "I came upon this 
walrus, which I could not bear to lose. I wounded him 
with one of the harpoons, and he rushed into that crevice 
in the rock, dragging the canoe as he went, so that I was 
obliged to make an end of him with the other harpoon. 
If he is too heavy to be carried home, I should like 
at least to keep the head with those two white teeth ; 
I would fasten it on the fore part of my canoe, which 
could then be named the Walrus” 

" I too should be very unwilling to leave those beau- 
tiful teeth behind," I replied; "but what we do must 
be done quickly, for the air feels heavy and foretells 
stormy weather." 

"Don’t have the head cut in pieces, papa!" cried 
Jack. " It would look so well on the canoe ! " 

" Ah 1 " said Ernest, " and in a little while it would 
decay and produce a not very pleasant odor for the 
Greenlander in his canoe." 

[31°] 


A PLENTIFUL HARVEST 

''No,” said Fritz; "it must be taken home first, and 
cleaned and dried till it becomes as hard as wood, like 
one I have seen at the museum at home.” 

"Papa,” asked Ernest, "are not these animals natives 
of northern regions ” 

"As a rule they are,” I replied ; " but this walrus 
may possibly belong to the South Polar seas, which are 
equally cold ; and there is a smaller species, called 
dugong, at the Cape.” 

While thus talking, we had dragged the head of the 
animal from the rock to our boat, and with some diffi- 
culty, when PTitz had removed the harpoons, I cut off the 
head. Fritz remarked that it would be useful to have a 
hatchet and lance, and also a mariner’s compass to enable 
the rower to direct his course in case he should be driven 
out to sea in a storm, and I promised that these articles 
should be placed in the canoe on the following day. 

Bringing the head of the walrus safely on board the 
yacht, I wished Fritz to join us and take the canoe in 
tow ; but he begged me to allow him to go back alone 
and without delay stood out to sea, while we followed, 
but more slowly. 

The dark clouds, which had for some time been gath- 
ering with threatening aspect, burst upon us suddenly in 
a frightful storm of wind and rain. Fritz was already 
so far in advance of us that we could not see a trace of 
him ; and to make him hear amid the roar of the storm 
would have been impossible. We put on the cork swim- 
ming belts, and lashed ourselves to the boat by leather 
straps to prevent being washed overboard. 

[311] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


Finding at last that I had no power over the boat I 
commended myself and my children to God, in alternate 
hope and fear. I concealed my alarm, however, and tried 
to encourage hope and trust in my two boys — who, I 
had no doubt, felt safer than I did, because they had me 
for a protector. 

Meanwhile the storm raged in all its fury. The waves 
rose to mountain height and seemed to mingle with the 
dark clouds which descended to meet them. Lightning 
flashed across the darkness, throwing its lurid glare on 
the crests of the foaming waves. Gusts of wind threat- 
ened to capsize us, while the foaming waves dashed over 
the deck of our little skiff, and the rain fell in torrents. 

At one moment we were riding at the top of an 
enormous wave and the next descending into the trough 
of the sea, as into a deep gulf. But our boat held on 
her way, the skins filled with air on each side prevent- 
ing her from sinking, and I could from time to time 
turn her course in the right direction by a move of the 
rudder. 

In all this danger and with strong hopes of safety if 
our boat could hold out till the storm ceased, my greatest 
anxiety arose from my ignorance of the fate of Fritz. 
Indeed, I gave him up for lost, and could only offer a 
silent prayer to God that he would enable me to submit 
to his holy will if my son were taken from me. 

The storms cease in these climates almost as suddenly 
as they begin ; and although the waves still rolled and 
dashed furiously about us, yet when the rain was over and 
the air cleared, to my great joy I found that we had been 
[312] 


A PLENTIFUL HARVEST 


driven by the wind towards the entrance to Deliverance 
Bay and were approaching the well-known creek between 
the rocks and Whale Island. 

My heart rose in gratitude to God for his protecting 
care of myself and the boys, and when at last we entered 
the bay another cause of thankfulness arose. We saw 
in the distance the mother, with little Frank and Fritz, 
kneeling on the strand, no doubt offering thanks to God 
for saving Fritz and praying that we might be delivered 
from danger. 

Great and overwhelming was our joy as we met and, 
while clasped in each other’s arms, realized from what we 
were saved. After we had knelt and offered our thanks 
for this happy deliverance, we hastened to Rock Castle 
for dry clothes and to think and talk of the dangers 
through which we had passed, over some warm, well- 
spiced soup. The yacht was then drawn up on shore, and 
with the cargo, consisting of the head of the walrus, was 
dragged on rollers to Rock House by one of the animals. 

Fritz and Ernest also brought the canoe, and both were 
placed side by side in one of those recesses in our cave 
which we were constantly discovering and making useful 
by cutting entrances to enable us to place in them all the 
stores which required shelter. The accommodations at 
Rock Castle were large enough to admit even the pinnace, 
had we not built a dock for it near Flamingo Marsh. 

The head of the walrus was carried to the workshop, 
and after being washed, cleaned, and dried, was placed 
on Fritz’s canoe, where it presented a most imposing 
appearance. 


[313] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

The heavy rain which had fallen at such an unusual 
season had swollen the two streams which descended 
from the rocks, so that in several places, and especially 
near Falcon’s Nest, the water had overflowed its banks, 
causing damage which required our constant exertion to 
repair. The Jackal River, which was very deep, rose so 
high above its banks that our bridge was in danger and 
the fountain at Falcon’s Nest was almost destroyed. 

During this period our days had for some time 
passed very peacefully, till one moonlight night I was 
awakened by the fierce barking of the watchdogs, mingled 
with a confused sound of growling, squeaking, and 
trampling feet. 

I immediately pictured to myself an assembly of jack- 
als, buffaloes, bears, and boars, amusing themselves, or 
fighting with our dogs. 

Springing out of bed, I hastily threw on a few gar- 
ments, seized the nearest gun, rushed to the entrance 
door, — the upper half of which was always open at night 
to admit the cool air, — and looked out in every direction. 

" Is that you, papa .? ” said Fritz from the window of 
his sleeping room. " What on earth is the matter .? ” 

"Nothing very alarming,’’ I replied. "I believe that 
those dreadful pigs are up to some mischief again, and 
that the dogs are after them. Let us go out and 
prevent death and slaughter, if we can.’’ 

Fritz scrambled through the window half dressed, and 
we hastened together towards the scene of the tumult. 
It was as I expected. The pigs had managed to cross 
the bridge, and two of the dogs had seized the young 
[314] 


A PLENTIFUL HARVEST 


boar by the ears, while the others were hunting the old 
sow and the little ones. I was sorry to be obliged to 
beat our two watchful champions, but they would not 
set the boar free without it, and to my surprise, when 
pursued, the whole herd fled towards the bridge. 

My boys had not, as I at first supposed, neglected to 
remove the planks, which had been done every night 
since the appearance of the boar on the potato field ; 
but the pigs had crossed it by their own cunning. The 
beams still remained, and the creatures must have fol- 
lowed each other in single file with the utmost caution, 
for the spaces between the beams were quite wide enough 
for a young pig to slip through. 

I determined to rise early with Fritz and begin the 
construction of a drawbridge, which could be lifted every 
evening, to secure us in the future from being aroused 
by such uninvited guests. 


[315] 



CHAPTER XXXII 

THE DRAWBRIDGE — THE HYENA 

A BREAKFAST next morning we related our 
night’s adventure to the boys and their mother ; 
to the latter the proposal to erect a drawbridge 
was most acceptable, and the younger boys were equally 
pleased at the prospect of helping in a new and useful 
undertaking. 

. We began by fixing in the ground, on the Rock Castle 
side of the river, two strong posts the width of the 
bridge apart ; across these, close to the ground, I nailed 
two planks, one above the other, to strengthen them, 
and a third at the top for the same purpose. We then 
nailed the planks of the bridge close together across 
the beams, forming a much safer footpath than the loose 
ones had been, and at the opposite end nailed a stronger 
[316] 


THE DRAWBRIDGE — THE HYENA 


board to hold the rings and bear the strain when the 
bridge was raised. We also lengthened it, that a suffi- 
cient portion for safety should rest on the shore. 

At the end nearest our home, four strong iron hinges 
were placed, which connected it with the planks across 
the two posts ; and by these we hoped to raise it easily 
every evening. For this purpose strong cables were 
passed through holes in the highest part of the posts 
and fastened in the rings at the opposite side. Strong 
iron staples were also fixed in the ground, behind the 
posts, to which the cable could be fastened, to keep the 
bridge firmly in its place when drawn up, iron hooks 
being fastened to the cable for this purpose. 

The building of our drawbridge occupied nearly a fort- 
night ; and although the workmanship was rough and 
clumsy, we were delighted with the result. 

Added to this was a feeling of security from night 
attacks of wild animals, which appeared to be more 
numerous in the distant parts of the island. We were 
now separated from danger by the chain of rocks and 
the Jackal River and protected by the cannon on the 
shores of Deliverance Bay. 

The boys were delighted to climb the tall posts of 
the new bridge and look over the country on the oppo- 
site side. In the distance they could distinguish the 
gazelles and antelopes which they had driven from Green 
Valley to Wood Grange. These little creatures would 
sometimes approach the outskirts of the wood ; but on 
seeing that they were watched, would start back with a 
rush, fly like the wind, and vanish from our eyes. 

[317] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

'' What a pity it is that these beautiful creatures can- 
not be tamed,” said Fritz one day, "so as to associate 
with us, like our domestic animals ! ” 

"If we had a buffalo lick,” said Ernest, "as they 
have in Georgia, the antelopes would soon be here.” 

" What is a buffalo lick ” asked Fritz. 

" It is a spot formed by nature, Fritz,” I said. " We 
could not, therefore, have such a one here. But there are 
places in our native land, called salt licks, made by the 
chamois hunter, who mixes saltpeter with the soil to 
attract his prey. In America the buffalo lick is formed 
by nature and covers several acres, which consist of more 
than half salt. All animals, whether wild or tame, are 
fond of salt.” 

" Could we not lay out such a place, papa? ” 

"I have no objection,” I replied, "if you can obtain 
a store of soil sufficiently moist ; we have salt enough in 
our salt cave to mix with it.” 

"Oh,” they all exclaimed, "that will be delightful! 
We shall be able to attract and tame so many animals I 
What must we do first .? ” 

" Well, I suppose I must agree to accompany you on 
another excursion, for we shall require a large store of 
porcelain earth and several bamboo canes for another 
purpose ; so the earlier we are ready to start to-morrow 
the better.” 

Away ran the boys, full of glee — Ernest to find a 
suitable spot for the salt lick. Jack with a secret design 
about the pigeons, while Frank volunteered to get the old 
sledge ready and at once drew it from its place in the 

[318] 


THE DRAWBRIDGE — THE HYENA 

cave. Fritz applied to his mother for provisions, saying 
that pemmican would be acceptable if they could have it. 

" Pemmican ! ” she exclaimed, what is that } ” 

The Canadian fur dealers take it with them on their 
long journeys, and it is considered very wholesome.” 

” But how is it made, my son ? ” she replied, ” or where 
can you procure the materials ? ” 

'' O mamma!” he said, laughing, ''you have the 
materials, but I do uot like to give you so much trouble. 
I can make it myself if you will give me slices of meat. 
Pemmican can be made of bear’s flesh, mixed with any 
other meat, and flour, and eggs ; after being chopped 
very small, it is fried.” 

The mother readily offered to help, and before eve- 
ning a store of pemmican sufficient for two days was in 
readiness and placed in a bag with other provisions. 

At last the longed-for morning dawned, breakfast was 
dispatched, and on the wheeled sledge were placed Fritz’s 
canoe, the traveling tent, provisions both for food and 
warfare, and a number of other things. 

While the boys were loading the cart, I noticed that 
Jack was carefully, yet secretly, placing two pairs of our 
European pigeons in one of the baskets. They were 
large, dark, handsome birds, with a red circle around 
the eyes, and of the kind which, if I do not mistake, 
Buffon has named the sultan pigeon. 

'' The youngster has provided a substitute for his din- 
ner,” I thought to myself, !'in case our store of pemmi- 
can should not be to his taste. The old pigeons, however, 
will not be a very delicate tidbit, with their tough flesh.” 

[319] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


The mother, who needed rest, wished for this time 
to remain behind ; and Ernest, who had been for a 
long time whispering and tittering mysteriously with 
Fritz and Jack, on hearing his mother’s remark also 
expressed his wish to remain at home with her. To set- 
tle the dispute which arose, I at once decided to remain 
at home, and with the help of Ernest, prepare a sugar 
press which I had long promised to my wife. 

It was settled therefore that the eldest and the two 
younger boys should go, and they at once set off in high 
spirits — Fritz and Frank on Storm and Grumbler, who 
drew the sledge, and Jack on the ostrich, with the dogs, 
Fawn and Brownie, barking at his heels. 

The evening of the first day had arrived, and I was 
seated in the veranda with Ernest and my wife, who was 
engaged in sewing, enjoying the rest and the cool eve- 
ning air. Our conversation turned upon our young ex- 
cursionists, and we wondered what adventures they would 
have to relate. I could see that the mother felt anxious, 
and when at length we retired to rest she expressed her 
wish that the three boys were safe at home. 

'' O mamma, they are all right ! ” said Ernest, and I 
noticed a twinkle in his eyes, as he spoke, that made 
me feel convinced of some secret arrangement with his 
brothers, known only to himself. 

At an unusually early hour next morning I heard 
Ernest moving about, but he did not make his appear- 
ance till breakfast time, when entering with a grave step, 
hat in hand, and bowing low, — yet with a pretended 
air of dignity, — he presented me with a letter and said, 
[320] 





THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


The postmaster of the Rock district presents his hum- 
ble respects to the nobly born ladies and gentlemen of 
this house and hopes ^he shall be pardoned for not being 
able to forward the dispatches from Sydney Cove and 
Jackson’s Bay until this morning, the post having arrived 
too late last night.” 

As I took the paper he bowed again and stood wait- 
ing for me to read it. 

I was rather bewildered for the moment by this 
strange address and by the paper placed in my hands. 
I observed also that my wife looked pale ; so I asked, 
'' What does this mean, my boy ? ” 

"Papa,” exclaimed Ernest, "it’s all right, only fun. 
Read it, and then you will understand the joke. And 
mamma, please, I ’ll have my breakfast meanwhile.” 

I began to have some idea now of the secret which 
the boys had so cleverly carried out, but I concealed 
my suspicions, and opening the packet, read aloud as 
follows : 

The Governor-General of New South Wales to His 
Excellency the Governor of Rock Castle, Falcon’s 
Nest, Wood Grange, Sugar-cane Grove, and Prospect 
Hill: greeting. 

Most noble, well-beloved, and trusted ally, we have heard 
with some displeasure a report that on this day three disrepu- 
table young men have set out from your colony with the inten- 
tion of proceeding here and living by poaching, hunting, and 
other dishonorable practices, which are sure to be injurious to 
the game in .this province and cause great damage. 

Information has also been received, from which it appears 
that you have the terribly destructive and fearful hyena in the 

[322] 


THE DRAWBRIDGE — THE HYENA 


woods of your colony, and that one of these wild animals has 
broken into a sheepfold at a place called Wood Grange. 

In consequence of these reports, we pray Your Excellency 
to give up these dreadful young men to justice and use every 
means to destroy the wild animals which still exist in your 
colony. 

Accept, most noble ally, my best wishes. 

Given at Sydney Cove, in Jackson’s Bay, the twelfth day of 
the current month, and the thirty-fourth year of the colony. 

[Signed] Philip Philipson 

The Gover^ior 

As I ceased reading, Ernest burst into a loud fit of 
laughter and, rushing from the table, began dancing 
about so wildly that a little letter fell from his pocket. 
I was about to pick it up, but he was too quick for me, 
and holding it firmly, he exclaimed, " This is a private 
letter to me, papa, from 'Wood Grange, but is perhaps 
more likely to be true than the dispatch from good 
Sir Philip, who appears to be too ready to believe all 
that he hears.” 

"You are really puzzling me, Ernest,” I said gravely. 
" Did Fritz leave this letter with you to be given to me 
after he left, or has he indeed discovered the traces of 
the hyena } ” 

"No and yes, papa,” said Ernest. "A carrier pigeon 
brought me the letter you have read, last evening ; but 
he arrived at the pigeon house too late for me to get 
at it. Another pigeon brought this letter, tied under 
his wing, early this morning.” 

This was the letter : 


[323] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

Wood Grange, the 15 th of the present month 
Dearest Parents and Brother, 

A frightful hyena has killed two lambs and a ram at Wood 
Grange. Our dogs caught it, and little Frank shot at it so 
cleverly that it fell dead immediately. It has taken us the 
whole day to remove the skin. The pemmican stuff is good 
for nothing. 

Love to all. From your son and brother, 

Fritz 

Ha, ha ! ” laughed I ; that is a regular hunter’s 
letter. God be praised that the affair with the hyena 
ended as favorably as appears. He must have newly 
arrived by the river at Wood Grange. Had he been 
long there, he would have made worse havoc with our 
sheep and goats.” 

” I hope the boys will be careful,” said the mother. 
”I only wish we could call them home or fetch them.” 

” It will be better to wait, dear mamma,” said Ernest. 
” No doubt there will be another letter by this evening’s 
post,” he added with a smile. 

That evening, at an earlier hour, we saw a carrier 
pigeon arrive at the pigeon house, and climbing up, 
Ernest found, tied loosely under its wing, the following 
letter. It was certainly quite laconic. 

A peaceful night. This morning very hot — cruise on the 
Wood Grange lake. Captured a black swan, a royal heron, 
cranes. Unknown animal escaped. Prospect Hill to-morrow. 
Best love to all. 

Fritz 

Jack 

Frank 

[324] 


THE DRAWBRIDGE — THE HYENA 


This concise letter relieved the mother’s mind not 
a little, as it led us to conclude that no second hyena 
could be in the neighborhood. The first dispatch, how- 
ever, still remained unexplained, and we felt it was 
necessary to wait until their return home to hear from 
the boys a full account of their movements. 

On the fourth day of their absence, shortly after 
dinner, another carrier pigeon arrived with the follow- 
ing letter : 

The defile by the river is forced. As far as Sugar-cane 
Grove all is laid waste. The smoking-hut has disappeared. 
The sugar canes are torn up and broken. Numbers of enor- 
mous footsteps of huge beasts appear everywhere on the 
ground. Hasten, dear father, to our help. We can neither go 
forward nor retreat, and although we are safe now, we know 
not what danger is at hand. 

I did not lose a moment. Saddling the onager and 
requesting my wife to follow me with Ernest next morn- 
ing, I sprang upon my fleet courser and galloped off at 
a quick pace. 

I accomplished in three hours a journey that usually 
took six, and my appearance was received by the boys 
with shouts of joy. Without delay I proceeded to see 
with my own eyes the terrible destruction of the wild 
beasts and knew immediately that the large footprints 
in the earth were those of elephants. 

The thick posts which I had erected to close the nar- 
row pass by the river lay broken on the earth like 
reeds, and a grove of trees, which we had planted to 
form in time a pleasant summerhouse, was destroyed 

[325] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

both roots and branches. In the bamboo thicket the 
young and tender plants were all eaten or torn up ; 
indeed it appeared as if the elephant troop had been 
accompanied by other animals, for I found in the soil 
smaller and fuller footprints, which seemed to belong to 
the hippopotamus. 

We gathered wood to keep fires burning all night 
around the tent, as a protection ; Fritz and I, with our 
guns in readiness, keeping watch also during the whole 
period of darkness. 

About noon on the following day Ernest and his 
mother arrived, with the cow harnessed to the cart, well 
loaded with provisions for a long stay ; it was evident 
that we should have to erect a dwelling in the neighbor- 
hood as soon as we had repaired the barricade at the 
entrance of the defile. 

This done, I readily agreed to the earnest wish of 
Fritz that we should build a summerhouse after the 
plan adopted by the natives of Kamchatka. 

In place of four posts I substituted the trunks of four 
beautiful trees, standing in the form of a quadrangle, 
at a distance from each other of about twelve feet. 

At the height of twenty feet from the ground, these four 
trunks were united by four strong split bamboo canes, 
on which we laid boards for a flooring. From this we 
raised thinner bamboo canes for walls and for partitions 
to divide the space into rooms. The inner branches of 
the trees were partly cut away, and partly entwined about 
the canes to close the openings between them ; the outer 
branches I allowed to remain as additional security. 

[326] 


THE DRAWBRIDGE — THE HYENA 

To form a roof, we trained the upper branches and 
fastened them to the tops of the thin bamboo canes and 
over these laid bark to keep out the rain. The staircase 
was merely a plank with places cut out for steps and a 
hanging rope to assist in climbing it, like a ladder on 
a ship’s side. 

The space below the rooms was divided into stalls for 
the cattle and a fowl house. In front we lengthened the 
flooring, to form a balcony similar to that -at Falcon’s 
Nest, and upon this the entrance door to the rooms 
opened. This balcony we could use as an observatory, 
for it commanded an immense prospect. The walls of 
the stables and fowl house were constructed of coconut- 
palm wood, cut in strips and nailed obliquely across 
from one tree stem to the other, leaving space for an 
entrance and forming a latticework which had a very 
pleasing effect. 

This work scarcely gave us breathing time during the 
day for a whole month, but the boys made several excur- 
sions to Falcon’s Nest and Rock House to look after 
our domestic fowls and pigeons and to bring back a 
report of the plantations and vegetable gardens. We 
found time also to listen to the story of their adventures 
during their four days’ absence on that memorable ex- 
cursion. These must be related in another chapter. 


[327] 



CHAPTER XXXIII 

FRITZ RELATES THE ADVENTURES OF THEIR 
EXCURSION 


^HE evening chosen for this narrative was calm 
and peaceful, and we had progressed so rapidly 
with our summerhouse that we were able to seat 
ourselves on the new floor and listen at our ease. 

" I watched you cross the bridge in safety,” I said, 
*'and yet I felt uneasy at the prospect of your absence.” 

"Yes, papa,” said Fritz, "perhaps you did, but not 
after you received the dispatches by our postman.” 

"That certainly relieved both your mother and myself 
from anxiety, at least for the day on which we received 
them ; and indeed I am thankful you had such a means 
of communication, especially when you wished to send 
for me. But how came you to discover these carrier 
pigeons } ” 


[328] 


FRITZ RELATES THEIR ADVENTURES 


''Ernest found them out,” said Fritz. "They are 
described in his natural history as large, dark birds, with 
purple throats, and a red circle around the eyes.” 

"Ah, yes!” I replied, laughing. "I saw you take 
those four pigeons and was amused at the idea, for I 
knew they would be tough eating ; yet by the whispering 
and mysterious consultations going on, I supposed there 
was some surprise in store for us.” 

"And so there was, papa,” said Fritz. "But now let 
me tell you of our first adventure with the hyena. 

" Nothing occurred till we approached the farm, and 
then we heard loud bursts of what sounded like human 
laughter among the bushes. The dogs, who were in 
advance, ran back to us snarling and growling, while 

A 

the ostrich at once bolted with his rider and ran wildly 
into the marshy rice field. 

"'There is something wrong, Frank,’ I said; 'you 
must be ready to fire, for it is as much- as I can do to 
hold in these animals. Keep close to me and let us 
discover what this unusual disturbance means.’ 

" Frank raised his gun, with his finger on the trigger, 
and while I held the buffalo and the ox firmly, the brave 
fellow approached the bushes and peeped in. There 
stood a hyena, at about forty paces’ distance, with his 
paw on a ram he had just killed and laughing hideously. 
At this moment the dogs rushed past Frank, and bark- 
ing and yelling, flew towards the horrid beast ; but 
before they could reach him Frank had fired, and the 
ball passing through his foreleg and entering his chest, 
the monster fell to the earth. 

[329] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


”I heard the shot,” continued Fritz, "and fastening 
the frightened oxen to a tree, ran to help Frank ; but 
fortunately I was not wanted. The two dogs had rushed 
upon the animal and dragged away his prey, and wasn’t 
Jack astonished when, returning with the ostrich, he saw 
our horrid enemy lying dead ! The creature was as large 
as a wild boar, and on his back, from the head to the 
tail, he had thick black bristles standing on end. The 
dogs alone would never have been able to kill such a 
fierce, strong creature, so it is well for us that Frankie 
was so brave.” 

"It makes me nervous to think of it,” said his mother. 
" But I am glad Frank was not afraid ; that would have 
made it much more dangerous.” 

"I was a little afraid, mamma,” said the boy, "when 
the creature laughed so horribly ; but I thought I could 
hit him more easily while he was eating, and so I did, 
and I feel proud of having killed such splendid booty.” 

" And how did you manage the ostrich. Jack .? ” asked 
his mother. 

" Oh, I covered his eyes, and he got over his fright 
when the laughing stopped.” 

"The skinning was a difficult process, papa,” exclaimed 
Fritz. "We wanted you and the syringe to help us, but the 
hyena’s skin is coarse and rough compared to the bear’s. 

" This was our first day’s work, and when we reached 
Wood Grange I sent those letters by the carrier pigeon, 
as you know. We had our supper in the tent, lighted 
fires round it, and laid down to sleep on the bears’ skins, 
keeping watch in turns, with our guns in readiness. 

[33°] 


FRITZ RELATES THEIR ADVENTURES 


"We had made up our minds to occupy the next day 
in exploring Black Swan Lake, and I was to cruise near 
the shore in my canoe while Jack and Frank followed 
on foot, as near the water as they could walk without 
X sticking in marshy ground ; and at every point where I 
expressed a wish to stop on our way back, they set up 
a tall bamboo cane. 

" I wanted to take some black swans alive, and almost 
immediately on starting in the canoe I came upon two 
old birds with their young ones. I had some trouble to 
catch even one, for the old birds beat me with their 
wings and tried to upset the canoe. But, as you know, 
papa, I have them all safe in the river, fastened with 
strings to the shore. Won’t they look handsome in the 
duck pond at Deliverance Bay or in the Jackal River, 
when we have tamed them .? 

"A few minutes after securing the young swans, we 
saw a beautiful bird standing on the shore, with long 
legs, a purple breast, and a crest of crimson-tipped 
feathers on its head. I threw a lasso of fine string 
around its neck, and although it struggled, made it my 
prisoner. I think it is the royal heron. . 

" But I had a fright after this, though not so bad a 
one as the boys, who were walking. A great ugly beast, 
hissing loudly, dashed out of the rushes just in front of 
them. We were so taken by surprise that we never 
thought of firing till it was out of sight. It was of a 
dark-brown color and something like a young rhinoceros, 
but without tusks, and it had such a long snout and upper 
lip j — a most ugly animal ! What could it have been ? ” 

[331 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

’'By your description, Fritz,” I replied, "the creature 
was a species of tapir. These animals frequent the 
banks of large rivers in South America, but they are 
entirely harmless.” 

"A flock of cranes came next,” continued Fritz, "just 
as we passed the cornfield, and at these we fired with 
arrows. Four or five fell, as you have seen, papa, but 
two of them are unlike the others and have larger 
wings.” 

” I noticed it, my boy,” I replied. ” These are Numid- 
ian cranes, and among them is one of those called 
the demoiselle crane, from the affected and fantastical 
movements it performs on its legs, almost as if it were 
dancing.” 

” That evening, although we returned home very 
tired,” said Fritz, going on with the narrative of their 
adventures, ” we enjoyed very much our supper of cold 
peccary ham, cassava cakes, and potatoes baked in the 
ashes. For dessert after dinner we gathered guavas and 
other fruit. But, mamma,” added the boy, "you were 
right about the pemmican ; it was not at all nice, and 
we gave it to the dogs.” 

” I dare say the instructions you gave me were not 
quite correct,” she replied with a smile. "We will try 
again some day, and perhaps the second attempt will 
be more successful. But go on with your adventures, 
Fritz. They are very interesting.” 

"We intended to pay a visit next day to Prospect 
Hill,” he said, "but on reaching the pine wood, we 
found a whole troop of monkeys seated on the branches. 

[332 ] 


FRITZ RELATES THEIR ADVENTURES 


They howled and chattered and gnashed their teeth at 
us, pouring upon us at the same time a hailstorm of 
pine cones, which we had to run from side to side to 
avoid. At last I fired a few small shots, which sent 
them flying, and we continued our journey in peace. 

"But such a scene of destruction presented itself 
when we reached Prospect Hill ! We have been too 
busy since you came, with the repairing here, to spare 
time from our work to show it to you ; but, O papa, you 
will be sorry when you see it ! 

" Every place is broken down and destroyed by those 
dreadful monkeys. We could only unharness the ani- 
mals from the cart and the sledge ; it was impossible to 
unload. The hut had disappeared, and we were obliged 
to put up our tent for a sleeping place. I determined to 
try to exterminate these mischievous animals. 

"We had milked the goats before leaving Wood 
Grange, and I placed a small quantity of milk in coco- 
nut shells, with palm wine and bruised grain. Into each 
I poured a few drops of the poisonous gum of the 
euphorbia tree, which you had given me in a calabash 
bottle. These coconut shells I hung on the young palm 
trees close by and placed a few on the fallen trunks of 
other trees. 

"All this employed us till late in the evening. Our 
animals were lying on the green turf, enjoying their 
rest, when we returned to the tent ; but before entering 
it the appearance of a strange light on the distant hori- 
zon induced us to climb to the high ground on Prospect 
Hill, for I thought it must be a ship on fire. But while 

[333] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


we stood looking earnestly at the light, the round disk 
of the moon, large and full, peeped above the horizon 
and presently a glorious light streamed over the sea and 
the country all around. It was beautiful ! I could have 
read a book by it. 

" While we thus stood on the hill, there suddenly 
sounded in our ears the loud snarling or hissing cry of 
some strange animal, and the crackling of grass and 
reeds under heavy feet that seemed to be passing over 
the rocks into the sea. 

'' Fawn and Brownie, as well as the jackal, must have 
heard it, for they all began to bark and howl in a most 
frightful manner ; but the dogs could not rush out, since 
we had tied them up in the tent for fear they should 
touch the poisoned drink intended for the apes. We 
returned quickly to the tent, and after replenishing the 
fires, laid down on our bearskins to sleep, but we had 
very little rest. The moonlight roused the monkeys ; we 
could hear them snarling, chattering, and howling near 
us for hours, and then all became so still that we fell 
asleep and did not wake next morning till long after 
sunrise. 

'' O papa ! ” continued Fritz, what a dreadful poison 
that euphorbia must be ! When we left our tent the 
sight of so many dead monkeys horrified us. I believe 
our possessions are safe now. As quickly as possible we 
threw the dead bodies into the sea and burned the coco- 
nut shells and flasks that had contained the poison.” 

" It was a dangerous performance, Fritz,” I said, ''and 
a sad necessity to destroy all those living creatures ; 

[334] 


FRITZ RELATES THEIR ADVENTURES 


but do not let us talk about it. You have not yet 
described the capture of those beautiful birds with the 
long tail feathers.” 

” Ernest says they are birds of paradise,” he replied, 
” and indeed they have the most beautifully colored 
feathers I ever saw. We were walking through high 
grass near the river, when the dogs started quite a flock 
of them. I sent up my eagle, and he brought down one, 
which fell trembling and terrified in the grass; and as 
I saw another falling, I am sure from fear, I held out 
my hands and caught it while Jack picked up the other; 
both were living and unhurt.” 

” I am glad they are not injured, Fritz,” I replied, 
”and I think they will be easily tamed, for they are as 
gentle as doves.” 

While we remained at this spot, and during the build- 
ing of our new summer residence, I allowed the boys to 
make short excursions in the neighborhood alone. Fritz, 
on one occasion, brought home from the opposite shore 
of the stream two sorts of fruit, differing in size but not 
in appearance. One of them he supposed to be young 
cucumbers, or gherkins ; but on tasting, I discovered that 
those he had mistaken for gherkins were bananas, and 
that the other was the valuable cacao nut, from the seeds 
of which chocolate is made. 

On the day before that on which our return to Rock 
House was fixed, Fritz started in his canoe to obtain for 
his mother a supply of young banana plants and the 
cacao fruit, which were to be found only on the opposite 
shore of the Eastern River. Behind him, as a sort of 

[335] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


raft, he towed a bundle of reeds, which floated on the 
surface of the water. This he brought back in the 
evening fully loaded. 

His brothers rushed to the strand and chased the canoe 
to secure the vegetable raft and its contents. Ernest and 
Frank seized it as he neared the shore, and at the same 
time one of them threw to Jack a loaded bag that had 
slipped half into the water, and told him to take care 
of it. 

Away ran Jack with the bag, full of curiosity, and 
opened it just wide enough to peep in. 

Oh, you great fellow ! ” he cried, with a start ; what 
a monster you are ! ” 

Then he closed the bag carefully, and placing it again 
half in and half out of the water, made it fast to a tree. 
The reason for all these performances we did not learn 
till later. 

By this time Fritz had sprung on shore, bringing a bird 
with its legs and wings bound, and full of joy because 
his booty was a beautiful sultan, or waterfowl. The legs 
and feet were red ; the chief color of the body and wings 
a rich purple, changing on the back to dark green flecked 
with red spots, and on the throat to brown. The creature 
was gentle and appeared likely to be easily tamed. The 
beauty of this new arrival pleased the mother greatly, and 
she determined to take it under her own immediate care. 

Fritz had met with many strange adventures in his 
cruise up the river, and his description of the beautiful 
country through which he passed would have tempted us 
to visit it, but for the creatures by which it was inhabited. 
[336] 


FRITZ RELATES THEIR ADVENTURES 


Green fields, trees loaded with fruit, were on one 
shore, and on the other, overhanging mountains and ma- 
jestic forests. Here and there troops of birds with glo- 
rious plumage produced such an unheard-of mixture of 
sounds that their cackling, quacking, gobbling, and scream- 
ing made him almost giddy. There were guinea fowls, 
peacocks, and numbers of other birds, with a few sultan 
fowls, one of which he had managed to capture. 

Farther on he passed a whole forest of Mimosa trees, 
in which from ten to twenty elephants were peacefully 
feeding on the large branches of the trees, which they 
tore down with their trunks with as much ease as Fritz 
could have broken off a sugar cane. They then entered 
the river and stood in the water as a means of cooling 
themselves during the fierce heat of the day. 

At a point farther down the river Fritz observed a 
number of panthers, their splendidly marked fur shining 
in the sun’s rays. 

" I felt for a moment inclined to try my skill as a 
marksman on one of these fellows,” he said, "but while 
I hesitated a rushing sound startled me, and I saw the 
water at about a stone’s throw in front of me boiling 
and foaming as if some large spring had suddenly 
burst forth beneath it. 

" Suddenly there arose from the water a hideous ani- 
mal that made me shudder, its loud bellow resembling 
in some measure the neighing of a horse ; while the 
creature, opening his wide jaws, displayed a row of fright- 
ful teeth, which seemed to be stuck in the gums like a 
regiment of Spanish lancers. 

[337] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


" I turned at once and fled like an arrow, rowing with 
all my strength till I reached the current, while the per- 
spiration rolled down my face. I never looked back till, 
at a bend of the river, I lost sight of the monster. I then 
took up my paddle again, and did not feel safe till I had 
reached a point which I knew was not far from our tent.” 

From this description I at once decided that the neigh- 
borhood of the Eastern River and the Green Valley was, 
in spite of its verdure and beauty, infested with wild ani- 
mals and among them the creature which had so alarmed 
Fritz. It was, no doubt, the hippopotamus, or river horse. 
He had, however, made many useful discoveries and had 
not only obtained the required plants and seeds for his 
mother but also a handsome waterfowl. 

During the absence of Fritz we had all been busy in 
preparing for our departure on the following day. 

The boy had evidently not lost his courage by the 
alarming sights he had seen on this excursion, for he 
begged me to allow him to return to Rock House in 
his canoe. 

He could double Cape of False Hope, he said, and 
then keep inshore till he reached the Jackal River. 

I readily gave my consent, for I felt it would be of 
great importance for one of the boys at least to learn 
the navigation of the island and also to ascertain if it 
were possible to reach the promontory or the Arabian 
Watchtower by a nearer way than the open sea. 

Early on the following morning we started for home, 
with the cart and the sledge well laden and the numerous 
feathered folk carefully packed in baskets. 

[338] 


FRITZ RELATES THEIR ADVENTURES 

I had decided to place the mountain fowl and the 
cranes, with a few other birds, on the two islands ; the 
black swans, the sultan fowl, and the royal heron were to 
be set free on the marsh near the duck pond, which had 
grown into a lake since the heavy rains. We hoped to 
tame the newcomers by feeding them now and then with 
titbits from our own hands. 

The old bustards were to retain the privilege of being 
near us at mealtimes as they were accustomed, standing 
gravely waiting for their share. 

On the evening of our arrival at Rock House, while we 
were seated in the veranda enjoying the cool fresh air, 
Fritz returned and hastened at once to relate his adven- 
tures. On reaching Cape of False Hope he had skirted 
the opposite shore of the island, which we had never yet 
reached by land, and found it in some parts a chain of 
high rocks and in others fertile country. 

On many of the clefts of the rocks, and at their feet, 
were groves of bushes covered with blossoms that filled 
the air with their sweet perfume. These flowers were 
small and white, with pink centers and petals tipped with 
green. The heart-shaped leaves, however, as well as the 
stalks, were thorny. He also found another white flower 
with slender leaves not unlike those of the cherry-tree 
blossom. 

The idea that the latter flower was that of the Chinese 
tea plant, which it resembled, greatly pleased the mother. 
The former I took for the blossom of the caper, which is 
a creeping plant growing in the crevices of rocks and 
on old ruins. 


[339] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


While Fritz was producing the results of his cruise a 
sudden noise was heard in the direction of the duck pond, 
which, since the river had overflowed its banks, bore the 
name of Swan Lake. 

The sound was a hollow, ghastly bellow, not unlike the 
angry lowing of two fighting oxen, and our dogs rushed 
out barking furiously. I started hastily and called to Jack 
to bring me my double-barreled gun, while the mother, 
Ernest, and Frank rushed into the house. Fritz alone 
surprised me ; he that was so ready to seize his weapons 
now stood leaning against one of the supports of the 
veranda, laughing most heartily. This relieved my mind, 
and reseating myself, I said, " I suppose you know it is 
nothing but the bellow of a bittern or a marsh pig } ” 

'' Or,” said Fritz, ” most likely an evening serenade 
from Jack’s giant frog.” 

” Ho, ho!” I exclaimed; ”this is one of the tricks 
of that clever young gentleman, is it ? I understand now 
the mystery of the sack, and why he wished to start 
before us on the way home. It is all right, wife,” I 
called out. "It is only the croaking of a frog.” 

" A frog I ” she exclaimed, as she answered my call, 
followed by Ernest and Frank. * 

"Yes,” said Fritz, "a giant frog, which I brought home 
for Jack on my last excursion. Is it a European frog .? ” 

" Oh, no I ” I replied. " The giant frog is a native of 
America and sometimes grows to the size of a rabbit. 
Another species, which inhabits South Africa, where 
the heat during both day and night at some parts of the 
year is most oppressive, keeps up a continual croaking. 
[340] 


FRITZ RELATES THEIR ADVENTURES 


The giant frog croaks only at night, and his music, when 
near at hand, is not very agreeable. I hope, however, 
that our heron will soon put him to silence, and in the 
meantime we will let him remain.” 

Jack, who had rushed off quickly to the pond on hear- 
ing the unearthly noise, came back while I was speaking 
and looked very much annoyed at the behavior of his 
new plaything. 

"It is a great ugly thing, papa,” said the boy, "but 
not half as big as a rabbit. I think it is what they call 
a bullfrog, but, if it would n’t croak so loud, I should 
like to keep it and see how large it would grow. I don’t 
think the heron, or even the cranes, could swallow it 
now, even if they were to try.” 

"You may keep him if you like, my boy,” said his 
mother. "But don’t let him come near the house ; and 
as to his noise, we shall perhaps get used to it.” 

After a few days’ rest my wife begged me to plan 
a last excursion for the summer to Falcon’s Nest and 
employ our energies in restoring and finishing the in- 
side of our old summer home. I willingly agreed to her 
wishes, only waiting till the boys had finished the buffalo 
lick which they were now busy in laying out. 

We found everything as we had left it, but in a very 
unfinished state. Our first work was to cut the sides 
of the arched roots into shape and polish them. The 
terrace upon these roots was repaired, and the flooring 
covered with a mixture of tar and resin to make it water 
tight. A roof of bark was placed over the upper balcony, 
outside our old sleeping apartment, which also overhung 

[341] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


the terrace beneath, and across the railings of both we 
nailed latticework, so that we had now two balconies 
round the tree castle. 

The tarpaulin over the sleeping room was removed 
to make room for a new roof, formed of bark and tree 
branches, similar to that in our Kamchatka summer- 
house at Wood Grange. When finished, our tree palace 
presented an exceedingly attractive appearance. 

This completed, Fritz proposed that we should erect 
a battery on the heights of Shark’s Island, on which to 
place our four-pounder cannon. I fell in with his proposal, 
but it cost me a great deal of thought. 

Having arranged my plans at last, we embarked on 
the yacht and sailed to the island. The cannon was lifted 
from the carriage and the latter raised — by means of 
strong cords, a windlass, and a pulley — to the top of the 
rocks. The cords, which had many knots, hung from 
the summit and served as steps for climbing up. It was 
a difficult task to raise the cannon and place it on the 
wagon, but by perseverance we at last succeeded. 

It stood with its mouth towards the ocean, and behind 
it was built a guardhouse of boards and bamboo canes. 
A tall, thick cane was also placed near the cannon, with 
a loose flag, fastened to rings by a strong cord, to be 
drawn up and down for the aid of any voyagers of our 
colony when out at sea alone. This undertaking occupied 
two months, and a tumult of delight arose when the 
flag was hoisted for the first time, and a salute of six 
shots, which reechoed from rock to rock, was fired in 
honor of the occasion. 


[342] 



CHAPTER XXXIV 

AFTER TEN YEARS — PEARL BAY 

C HAPTER has added itself to chapter, as year 
has added itself to year, since I and my family 
were cast shipwrecked upon this lonely island. 
I shall be satisfied if young people who read this record 
of our lives and adventures shall learn from it how 
admirably suited is the peaceful, industrious life of a 
cheerful and united family to the formation of strong, 
pure, and manly character. 

Before continuing my narrative I will glance back and 
give a short sketch of our work and its results during 
the ten years that we have remained on the island. 

Our boys have grown up, in a certain sense different 
in mind and person from those accustomed to associate 
with others of their own age. Their physical powers 
have been strengthened and their minds developed by 

[343] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


labor and by the excursions and discoveries we have 
made in pursuit of a livelihood. 

The study of languages and literature has been kept 
up during the rainy seasons, especially by Ernest, who 
is of a studious disposition and less actively inclined than 
his brothers. Fritz, however, is the most proficient in 
English, which he reads and speaks with great correct- 
ness. They are all healthy and handsome young men. 

Our dwelling places, both at Rock House and Falcon’s 
Nest, have during the last few years been much im- 
proved, and are now not only attractive in appearance 
but convenient and healthful. Rock House, especially, 
forms a capital warehouse for our stores as well as an 
excellent winter residence. 

The greater part of the year, however, we have spent 
at Falcon’s Nest, where we have excellent shelter for 
our fowls, and stalls for the cattle and sheep as well as 
for the game we wish to preserve alive. Here also are 
the beehives, which supply us with honey in great quan- 
tities. But the increase in the number of bees, which 
obliged me to form several new hives, attracted a bird 
of beautiful plumage, named the bee eater, and this 
necessitated the destruction of all we caught. Two were 
preserved to adorn our museum, which is still a great 
pleasure to us, especially on Sunday. The contents of 
this museum have increased in number so rapidly that 
we have been obliged to devote another space in Rock 
House to these curiosities. 

Rock House has also been greatly beautified and im- 
proved, both within and without. The veranda has been 

[344] 


AFTER TEN YEARS — PEARL BAY 


extended by two wings, one at each side, and the creep- 
ing plants at the foot of each bamboo column or support 
have grown luxuriantly and now twine around them even 
to the roof, which they completely cover, hanging down 
from the eaves in a most picturesque manner and forming 
a pleasant shade. 

Close to the rock and under one wing of the veranda 
stands the fountain formed of the 'turtle’s shell, and 
the splashing of the water as it trickles into the basin 
has a pleasant, cooling sound. Another fountain, con- 
structed from a large hollow bamboo cane, has been 
erected under the opposite wing for the sake of sym- 
metry ; but we were not fortunate enough to obtain a 
large turtle shell for the purpose. 

At the end of each wing, the roof of which covers the 
fountains, two broad steps have been placed, and the 
whole frontage presents the appearance of the exterior 
of a house in China. 

The landscape before us is in the highest degree 
romantic and charming, and forms a striking contrast 
to the ridge of rugged rocks behind. 

Between our dwelling and Deliverance Bay are spread 
out, in order and fertility, shrubs and trees, both Euro- 
pean and natives of the soil. Shark’s Island is covered 
with coconut palms and pines. On the strand a thick 
growth of mangrove trees resists the advance of the 
waves. 

Near the crest of the rock on Shark’s Island stands 
the guardhouse with its four-pounder cannon, and its 
raised flag fluttering in the air. In the foreground lies 

[ 345 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


the old duck pond, enlarged by an overflow of the sea, 
which has covered the greater part of B'lamingo Marsh 
and now forms a considerable lake, on whose dark-blue 
waters float in social companionship majestic black swans, 
snow-white geese, and many-colored ducks. 

Our ‘gardens and plantations extend nearly to the 
lake, and on the marshy ground around it and through 
the rushes can be distinguished now and then the red 
crest of the sultan marsh fowl, the purple flamingo, the 
red-tipped feathers of the stately herons, and the Numid- 
ian crane, all associating in perfect harmony and wholly 
domesticated. Beneath the stately trees and shrubberies 
marches the ostrich, quite at his ease. The cranes and 
bustards, as usual, keep close to our fields, while the 
beautiful Canadian, or heath fowl, and the mountain hen, 
can be heard rustling in the bushes. 

Above us the pigeons fly here and there or, seated 
on the roof of the veranda, dress their beautiful plumage 
before our eyes, their soft cooing mingling with the 
sound of the trickling fountains. In fact, the region once 
so wild and unfruitful seems to have vanished, and as 
the consequence of our industry and perseverance, its 
site has become a veritable paradise on earth. 

On the shore of Jackal River, from the highest ground 
almost to the water’s edge, grow orange and lemon trees, 
Indian figs, and many thorn-bearing shrubs, so close that 
it seems impossible for even a mouse to slip in. I had 
some thoughts once of cutting a road through this thicket, 
but it presented such a bulwark against intruders that I 
considered it safer to leave it. 

[346] 


AFTER TEN YEARS — PEARL BAY 


The Spanish c^nes render the way round the marsh 
equally impassable, and as the drawbridge is always up, 
Rock Castle is protected on all sides. At night the still- 
ness is so great that no sound can be heard but the croak- 
ing of Jack’s bullfrog, which has hitherto escaped the 
jaws of the heron or the cranes. 

Between our dwelling and the Jackal River we had 
preserved a little corner in which to raise the cotton 
plant, and at Wood Grange the cotton fields are very 
extensive. In fact our kitchen gardens, orchards, planta- 
tions, cornfields, and shrubberies are, at the end of ten 
years, as productive and flourishing as I could wish. 

We found difficulty in keeping away from the corn 
and fruit thieves in the shape of squirrels, parrots, and 
even the wild birds we had domesticated, beside sparrows, 
thrushes, and field mice ; yet by one device or another, 
we generally succeeded in saving our crops and securing 
a plentiful harvest. 

On Shark’s Island, also, the rabbits have multiplied 
amazingly, and they have supplied us from year to year 
not only with food but also with their soft and useful 
fur. Whale Island, though almost as fruitful as Shark’s 
Island in vegetation, proved unsuitable to the antelopes. 
Perhaps the island was too exposed for these delicate 
little creatures, for they did not thrive or increase till 
we removed them to Falcon’s Nest. 

Since then I have carried to Whale Island all our 
arrangements for candle-making, tanning, cleansing and 
combing wool, and all other work that has an offensive 
smell ; and all our workshops are now roofed. 

[347] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


Wood Grange Farm is in a flourishing condition ; we 
have a large number of sheep, goats, pigs, and poultry, 
as well as oxen and cows. 

Storm and Grumbler are still living, as is also the good 
old cow saved from the wreck ; but young cows now add 
to our supply of milk and cream, and we are provided with 
mutton, beef, and veal from our own flocks and herds. 

The boys retain their old love for giving names to the 
animals. To one, a young pet cow, of a pretty creamy 
white, we gave the name Snow ; and an ox with a tre- 
mendous voice, the boys call Roarer. 

There are also young wild asses so fleet of foot that we 
have given them the names of Arrow and Brisk, and one 
of Fawn’s pups Jack honored with the curious title of 
Coco. The boys will sometimes even now make it neces- 
sary for us to stop our ears as they shout, ” Oh ! hallo ! 
hio ! Coco ! ” 

Hunter, the jackal, has been dead some time, and his 
place supplied by another, found, as before, by Jack, in 
a hole in a rock. He is not so tame as Hunter the First, 
but quite as clever. 

At Falcon’s Nest, as well as at Rock Castle and Wood 
Grange, the kitchen gardens and potato fields have flour- 
ished wonderfully. The shoals of herring have never 
failed to visit us yearly, and with our large and increasing 
farm stock, a supply of game has not been so necessary. 

In fact I found myself, at the end of ten years, the 
owner of fields and meadows, orchards and plantations, 
and three different residences, and as rich in farm stock 
as a wealthy farmer in the dear old country. 

[348] 


AFTER TEN YEARS — PEARL BAY 


We have all learned experience in our industry. My 
boys have grown from youth to manhood and gained 
both mental and physical strength. 

Fritz, now in his twenty-fourth year, is of middle size, 
but muscular, high-spirited, and rather hasty. 

Ernest, two years younger, is tall and slight, cool and 
indolent, but far superior to his brother in intellectual 
power and refined tastes. 

Jack, at twenty, is nearly as tall as Fritz and much 
like him in many respects, but of larger build, with an 
active mind and body and great stability of character. 

Frank, the youngest, differs from all his brothers yet 
has some of the qualities of each. 

They are all candid, honorable young men, who re- 
spect religion, are dutiful to their mother and myself, 
and warmly attached to each other. 

Such is our little colony at the end of ten years, dur- 
ing which we have seen no human being except each 
other ; but we still have hope that we may yet enjoy 
the companionship of our fellow men. If at times I have 
felt my heart sinking when I considered our isolated con- 
dition, I have concealed my trouble from my dear ones 
as, I doubt not, have they their despondent thoughts 
from me. 

My sons are still fond of making excursions and are 
often absent the whole day in search of new discoveries. 
The pinnace and the yacht have been kept in good repair, 
and Fritz’s canoe has been greatly strengthened and im- 
proved. The pinnace still lifes in the dock I formed for 
her, many years ago, by damming up a portion of the 

[349] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


river near Flamingo Marsh. We have more than once 
been out to sea in this pretty boat, — my wife, the four 
boys, and myself, — venturing even out of sight of land ; 
but a recollection of the storm we once experienced 
made me hesitate to take such a voyage often, although 
we always had the compass on board. 

Fritz, as fearless as ever, often paddles his canoe to a 
great distance, and it is unusual for him to return with- 
out having either made some new discovery or secured 
a supply of sea birds, dead or alive. 

On one occasion, after paying a visit to the Green 
Valley, he made a large capture of guinea fowls ; and the 
boys at once hastened to build an inclosure for them of 
bamboo canes, of such an enormous size that it looked 
like a large bird trap, with a trelliswork of thin laths for 
a sloping roof. The birds were attracted to this large 
cage by means of a quantity of seeds and berries on the 
ground within it, and after a while they became so tame 
that they would come to our dinner table for any little 
titbits we liked to throw them. Many wild birds have 
been brought to these cages and with little difficulty 
tamed in the same manner. 

One day quite lately Fritz started out early in his canoe. 
We expected him to return by nightfall ; but evening ap- 
proached and no trace of his boat could be seen on the 
sea, even with the telescope. Feeling anxious, the boys 
and I proceeded at once to the dock, and launching the 
yacht, crossed to Shark’s Island and mounted the heights 
on which our guardhouse and cannon stood. The flag 
was always hoisted while any of our party were at sea, 

[350] 


AFTER TEN YEARS — PEARL BAY 


as a beacon to help them to return ; and after again 
sweeping the horizon with my glass and seeing no 
signs of the canoe, I fired a signal from the cannon. 

The report was reechoed from the rocks, but for a 
long time no canoe was to be seen. At last a little black 
spot was observed floating on the water, and through the 
telescope we discovered it to be our Greenlander in his 
canoe. He neared us slowly and with seeming indiffer- 
ence, as if in no hurry to reach the coast. We all raised 
a joyful hurrah and descended quickly to the strand, in 
hope of meeting him when he reached it, that he might 
return with us in the yacht to Rock House. 

But as he approached the island, I understood in a 
moment the cause of his slow movements. An enormous 
booty floated, bound, at the side of the canoe, and by 
the head of the walrus in the bow lay a similar bundle ; 
while behind the boat a bag of considerable size was 
being towed, which must have greatly interfered with 
the rower’s progress. 

"Welcome, Fritz, welcome!" I exclaimed. "What 
news do you bring from land and sea .? I perceive you 
have brought a large booty, and I praise God that you 
have at last returned safe." 

"Yes, I do thank Heaven," he replied, "that I am 
home again safe and well, with all my cargo ; besides, 
I have made discoveries and met with adventures that 
will, I know, be greatly appreciated." 

At home that evening, after a little rest and refresh- 
ment for our traveler, we listened with great interest to 
an account of his adventures. 

[351 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


” I must ask you first, dear father,” said the young 
man, ” to pardon me for leaving this morning without 
your knowledge ; but I was anxious to start early on an 
excursion I have long wished to make, and I did not like 
to awaken you so soon. Besides I knew that my canoe, 
being light and easily paddled, would carry me safely, 
even in case of a storm. I took with me a supply of pro- 
visions and a flask of mead, filled my waterskin, fixed 
the mariner’s compass right before my eyes on the deck, 
and then bound a harpoon to the stern and supplied my- 
self with a boat hook and some fishing lines — but not my 
best firearms, lest they should get spoiled by being wet. 

” I had, however, a couple of pistols in my girdle, and 
my eagle was perched near me on the prow, as if watch- 
ing for prey. It was a beautiful morning, and the calm 
sea attracted me irresistibly to carry out my plan. I 
stepped on board the canoe, and seating myself, paddled 
quickly towards the current from the Jackal River, which 
soon carried me out to sea, while I carefully watched 
the needle in the compass so that I might know how 
to steer my way back. 

” As I passed the spot where our ship was wrecked, 
I saw beneath the clear water a quantity of useful arti- 
cles lying at the bottom of the sea — cannons, iron 
bars, and shot of all sizes — which I really think might 
be raised at low water. 

” I then turned my canoe in quite a different direction 
from any that we have ever taken at sea, yet keeping 
near the coast and continuing for some distance under 
broken and overhanging rocks. 

[352] 


AFTER TEN YEARS — PEARL BAY 


” Sea birds of every description flew screaming over 
my head, or, perched on the rocks, seemed to watch 
my progress with suspicion. Farther on a number of 
marine animals, such as seals, walruses, and sea bears, 
were lying in the clefts of the rocks and seemed 
ready to spring from them upon me in spite of their 
enormous bodies. 

'' I must own I was glad to escape from these wild- 
looking creatures by pushing farther out to sea, and 
after rowing for about an hour I entered a current that 
led me to a narrow stream under arched rocks, forming 
a portal which nature had built in magnificent grandeur, 
as if to shame the imitations of man in their so-called 
architecture. 

” Here and there were openings in the vaulted rocky 
roof, which raised itself to several hundred feet above 
the level of the sea ; and a most unusual number of 
sea birds, which had built their nests among the rocks, 
were flying about. They were scarcely larger than wrens, 
and their white breasts contrasted pleasantly with the 
light-green feathers of the wings and the dark plumage 
of the rest of the body. 

Thousands of their nests appeared on every side, 
and seemed to be formed, not very skillfully, however, 
of feathers and thistledown. Strange to say, each of 
these nests rested upon a kind of support resembling 
the bowl of a spoon. 

" I separated one of the empty nests carefully from the 
rock and discovered that the interior was constructed of 
dry moss, mixed with a substance somewhat like fish glue 

[353] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


which fixes it to the rocks, and I have brought it home 
in my fishing-tackle bag for you to examine.” 

” I should imagine, from your description, that this 
nest belongs to the sea swallow. The Chinese consider 
it a great delicacy for their taWe, and it forms a valu- 
able article of commerce in China. I think, dear wife, 
we might make a trial of this nest, if you will cook it.” 

” On leaving the rocky vault, which extended for some 
distance,” continued Fritz, ” I entered the waters of a 
magnificent bay, from the shore of which a fertile plain 
stretched far away inland. While my little skiff floated 
swiftly over the clear, transparent waters, I noticed a 
quantity of shellfish, similar to the oyster, lying at the 
bottom of the sea. They appeared to be tied together, 
and fastened to the underlying rocks by filaments or hair- 
like threads, and thinking they might be better eating 
than those of Deliverance Bay, I fished up a few with 
my boat hook, and being near, threw them on shore, 
intending, on my way back, to place them in a bag 
tied to the side of the canoe, and by keeping it half in 
the water, preserve them fresh. 

” But when I reached the spot on my return, I found 
that the heat of the sun had opened the shells and that 
the contents were unfit for food. I fished up about a 
bushel more, and these I have brought home, not because 
I now think they are fit to eat, but on account of the 
little seeds which I found in the flesh when I attempted 
to eat one. Some of these seeds are about the size of 
a hazelnut and just like pearls. I have brought home 
a large number in my bamboo box.” 

[354] 


AFTER TEN YEARS — PEARL BAY 


''Show them to me, Fritz,” I said; and as he placed 
them in my hand, I saw that they were shining, beau- 
tiful pearls. 

"You have made a valuable discovery,” I continued. 
" These pearls are worth a large sum, and yet they are 
as useless here — as regards profit — as the doubloons 
in the captain’s sea chest. However, take care of them, 
my son, they may be of use some day.” 

"I ate my dinner after this discovery,” continued 
Fritz, "and then started on my return home. I noticed 
many sea birds of different kinds after leaving Pearl 
Bay, as I must now call it ; and before reaching the 
current which led into the open sea, an albatross, frigate 
birds, sea gulls, and wild ducks flew and fluttered impu- 
dently around me. 

” I managed to knock down one or two of the largest 
birds and to shoot others, but I had some difficulty in 
conquering the albatross, who was only slightly wounded 
in the wing. He kicked with his feet and struggled so 
violently that I expected he would escape. 

” At last I bound his legs and wings and continued 
my homeward journey. It certainly was a great relief 
when I arrived in familiar waters and saw the welcome 
flag flying from the top of the rock.” 

Here ended, as I supposed, Fritz’s narrative ; but 
when he left me to attend to the wounded bird and 
make him comfortable for the night, I could not quite 
understand the reason of so much anxiety on his part 
respecting this bird’s fate. I discovered the cause, how- 
ever, before retiring to rest. 

[355 ] 



CHAPTER XXXV 

THE MYSTERIOUS MESSAGE 

A FTER attending to the albatross, Frit^ left his 
mother and brothers examining the birds and 
JL ^ made me understand that he wished to speak 
with me alone about some important matter. 

" Father,” he said, ” I have not yet told you all. The 
strangest part remains. While the poor albatross was 
trying to escape, I saw, wrapped about his leg, a piece 
of linen, and when I had secured him I took it off and 
found written on it in English, in a kind of red ink, 
this message : ' Who will rescue an unfortunate English 
girl from a cave in the lonely rocks near a volcano .U ” 

The words sent a thrill through every nerve and made 
my brain giddy. 

"Can it be true, Fritz.?” I said, "a poor young 

[356] 


THE MYSTERIOUS MESSAGE 


creature alone on these desolate shores ? How did she get 
here, and what has she to live upon ? You have done 
well not to speak of this before the others. It would 
make needless anxiety for your dear mother. The bird 
may have come from very distant shores. There are 
surely no volcanoes near us.” 

'' I could send a message by the albatross, father,” 
said my undaunted boy, who was not affected by my 
gloomy view. "He will be able to fly in a day or two.” 

"And I must arrange for you,” I said, "to go out 
on a voyage of discovery without exciting suspicion or 
alarm.” 

On the third day after receiving the message, Fritz 
wrote on another piece of linen these words : " Trust in 
God. Help is no doubt at hand.” 

This he tied to one of the legs of the albatross, and 
the message he had received to the other. Then taking 
the bird down to the beach, he loosed his bonds and set 
him free. For a few moments the creature stood as if 
stupefied, then suddenly rose in the air, and although he 
moved his wing with difficulty, to the great joy of Fritz 
he soon disappeared. 

During that day I took the first opportunity, when we 
were all seated together in the veranda, to remark : "I 
have been thinking, dear wife, that our eldest son is now 
of an age to be dependent on himself, and that I shall 
leave him free to act according to his own judgment and 
to make excursions or voyages alone, if he considers it 
desirable, without asking permission. Of course, if he 
asks my advice, I shall be ready to give it.” 

[357 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


Fritz was quite overcome by my confidence in him ; 
while his mother, feeling proud of her son, rose, and 
putting her arms round him, kissed him affectionately, 
saying, with tears in her eyes, " God bless and preserve 
you, my son ! ” Then, to conceal her emotion, she 
hastened away to prepare the evening meal. 

The boys, or young men as I should now call them, 
were not a little surprised at my remarks about Fritz ; 
but light-hearted as ever, they soon ran to their mother 
to. beg her to prepare some oysters in the shell for 
supper. Frank, who could not wait, tried to open two 
or three with his knife, and found within two of them 
three large and three small pearls, which appeared so 
beautiful that a new idea struck the boys. 

"If we could make an oyster bed in Deliverance 
Bay," said Ernest, " we should have pearls by bushels." 

"You might have pearls," I said, "but not oysters 
fit for food. This beautiful pearl is only formed in 
the flesh of an oyster when it is diseased or after 
the shell has been injured." 

This slightly damped the ardor of my young people, 
but they were still determined that on the first opportu- 
nity Fritz should take us to Pearl Bay, that we might 
obtain a store of oysters for a new bed. 

With this excursion in prospect, Ernest also con- 
structed a kind of scoop, and a cutting machine for 
removing the empty nests of the sea swallows, of 
which such beautiful jelly could be made. Fritz worked 
zealously but silently in making space in his canoe 
for another seat. His brothers naturally imagined that 

[358] 


THE MYSTERIOUS MESSAGE 

he was trying to make his canoe suitable to accom- 
modate one of them as well as himself, and he did 
not undeceive them. 

We now began to prepare for an excursion to Pearl 
Bay and the other places discovered by PTitz on his 
last voyage, and a very rich store of provisions was 
packed for our journey. Fresh pemmican, cassava cakes, 
pastry from wheaten flour, nuts, almonds, and a cask 
of mead as a refreshing drink were stowed away in 
our yacht, and on an early day we embarked, with 
a favorable wind, leaving the mother under the care 
of Frank. 

We were accompanied by Master Nip the Second, 
Nip the PYrst having been dead for some years, as 
well as poor old Turk. Floss, who was still brave in 
her old age, was not left behind, and Fawn and 
Brownie gladly joined us on board. 

Fritz took the lead in his canoe to show us the 
way, and Jack, who wished to be pilot, occupied the 
seat in the canoe which Fritz had prepared for another 
purpose. Following in his track, I determined to hoist 
a sail while we were in these peaceful waters. 

The various points touched by Fritz were pointed out 
by him as we sailed along in the track of the canoe. 
The sea was calm and smooth and as transparent as 
a looking-glass. The nautilus passed us in full sail. 
We saw the shellfish beneath the clear, transparent 
water, and numbers of sea birds were skimming its 
surface with rapid wing. As we passed this spot, we 
gave it the name Nautilus Bay.” 

[359] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


At length vve approached the gra*nd portal to the 
stream which ran beneath vaulted rocks, and were 
astonished at the rugged grandeur of the spot. The 
majestic beauty of these arched rocks struck me with 
awe. The great Builder had here formed one of 
nature’s temples, whose beauty and magnificence far 
exceeded the most stately cathedral ever erected by 
man. 

The sea swallows, however, soon diverted our at- 
tention from the wonders of nature, and Ernest and 
Jack begged me to allow them to land upon the 
rocks and cut down as many of these succulent nests 
as they could find empty. 

The passage beneath the vaulted rocks was very 
pleasant^ and on arriving in the beautiful broad bay 
to which Fritz had given the name " Pearl Bay,” I 
decided to stay all night and sleep on board the 
yacht. 

A fire was accordingly lighted on the shore, and we 
cast anchor at a little distance. The dogs remained 
near the fire, and Fritz, after mooring his canoe 
alongside the yacht, came on board for the night. 

We slept peacefully, except when disturbed by the 
bowlings of the jackals on shore, which not only 
provoked the dogs to bark but also induced our jackal. 
Hunter, to join in the howls. 

At break of day we were all on the move, apd after 
a hearty breakfast, continued our voyage, Fritz still 
leading the way in his canoe. During this day we 
managed to secure a large store of oysters, and I also 
[360] 


THE MYSTERIOUS MESSAGE 


found on the shore a kind of vegetable kali, or soda, 
and collected a quantity to carry on board, as I well 
knew it would be useful. 

When we arrived at the point to which Fritz had 
extended his exploring excursion, he came on board 
and said, " Father, do you think you can find your way 
back without my assistance ” 

Of course I do, my son, and I quite understand 
your anxiety to discover the volcanic island. Have you 
sufficient provision on board ? for you must not go 
home to alarm your mother.” 

"No, father, I will not do that. I have enough 
provision, and I hope to discover the volcanic island. 
Before you and my brothers are up, I shall turn back, 
and you can tell them, when they miss me, that I am^ 
acting independently in thus leaving you, as you in- 
formed them r was at liberty to do.” 

But Fritz was not to leave us next morning as 
he wished, owing to the appearance of a very un- 
pleasant visitor in the evening twilight. We had been 
preparing our supper on the shore, and Fritz was 
still in his canoe, making arrangements for an early 
start in the morning. 

Our watch fires were lighted, yet that did not pre- 
vent us from hearing a deep, low roar, that echoed 
among the rocks like thunder. I could imagine noth- 
ing less^ than the approach of leopards or panthers ; 
but although the sound sent a thrill of terror through 
my veins, I did not imagine anything so dreadful as 
the presence of a lion. 


[361 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

We were not kept long in suspense. A huge beast 
approached at three bounds, but was stopped by a 
stream which flowed between the shore and the inland 
country. I saw in a moment that it was an enormous 
lion, such as is exhibited in menageries in Europe. 
At flnding this bar to his progress, the creature seated 
himself on his haunches like a cat and glared at us 
with his flerce eyes. The dogs and Nip slunk away 
to the space in front of the Are, which concealed 
them from the enemy, and for myself, I seemed almost 
paralyzed and unable to recover my presence of mind. 
The lion rose presently on his four legs and began 
pacing up and down, as if searching for a convenient 
place for springing across the stream, lashing his tail 
while he walked, with angry impatience. 

Again the deep, low growl sounded in our ears, as 
the animal stooped to quench his thirst in the running 
stream ; and after again wandering backwards and for- 
wards without finding a spot narrow enough for him 
to spring over, he laid himself down on his stomach 
and glared at us with flaming eyes. 

Before I could decide whether it was best to fire or 
to return to our boat, the sound of a shot passing 
through the air in the growing darkness so startled 
us that Ernest exclaimed in terror, " Father, Fritz has 
fired from his canoe ! ” 

At the same moment the lion sprang into the air 
with an awful roar or groan, stood still for a few 
seconds, staggered, then fell on his knees, and remained 
without movement. 


[362 ] 




THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


’‘We are saved ! ” I cried, as we rushed back to 
the boat. “ The lion is shot to the heart. He will 
not rhove again, thanks to Fritz ! Remain in the boat, 
boys, while I go to assist him ; he may still be in 

danger.” 

I sprang again on shore in shallow water, and the 
dogs met me with joyful expressions of their relief 
from the fear of danger, but these gambols were soon 
interrupted. As I approached the spot where the dead 
lion lay, a second smaller, but not less formidable, one 
came from the wood and with one bound alighted 

opposite the spot we had left to return to the boat. 

It was evidently the lioness in search of her royal 
mate, and well for us that they had not been together 
at first. Reaching the place where the monarch of the 
forest lay, she felt him with her paw, sniffed round 
the spot, licked his bleeding wounds, and then, gnash- 
ing her teeth, uttered a howl of distress that echoed 
horribly through the night air. 

Puff ! another shot, and the lioness uttered a cry of 
pain. She had been wounded in the right foot, but was 
still dangerous. I also fired my shot, breaking her jaw 

and causing her to fall with howls of pain and rage. 

Our dogs now took courage to rush upon the pros- 
trate animal. Then followed a fearful scene of war- 
fare too horrible to describe. The darkness, the growls 
of the lioness, the howls of the wounded dogs, I can 
never forget. I remained* for a moment too much 
overcome to fire a second shot, and in that moment 
the monster, with one stroke of her uninjured paw, 

[364] 


THE MYSTERIOUS MESSAGE 


crushed out the life of poor Floss, who had seized 
her by the throat. The terrible beast was dead, but 
it had cost us the life of one of our dear, brave, old 
champions. 

With cries of joy we called Ernest and Jack from 
the boat to take part in the triumph. The watch fires 
were again replenished, and we returned with torches 
to examine the battlefield and remove the body of our 
brave Floss. 

It was not without tears from her young masters that 
she was laid in a deep grave, Ernest promising his 
brothers to compose a suitable epitaph for their old 
companion. 

The wounds of Fawn and Brownie were not dan- 
gerous, and after anointing them with oil, and supply- 
ing water, we left the dogs at the watch fires while we 
lay down to sleep. 

Rising late, we proceeded farther up the bay to the 
spot described by Fritz as being as fertile as the Green 
Valley. As we sailed along the coast, I noticed the 
entrance to a little river which flowed between a charm- 
ing country and the outskirts of a forest. We entered 
it, and after proceeding a little way, quite thoughtlessly 
anchored on the forest side. 

Ernest and Jack, with the two dogs, went on shore 
to explore a little, and the jackal soon followed them, 
while Fritz and myself remained on the boat. 

We were conversing on the subject always uppermost 
in the mind of Fritz — the possibility of rescuing the 
English girl who had sent the message. My other sons 

[365] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


had not been long absent, when we were much startled 
at hearing a gun fired on shore, followed by a great 
cry and a second shot. 

Fritz seized his gun, sprang on shore, and rushed 
hastily to the spot from which now sounded the fierce 
barking of the dogs and the yells of the jackal. I fol- 
lowed quickly, and as we drew near another shot whizzed 
by, and presently the words, "Victory! victoiy!" re- 
sounded through the air in joyful tones. 

Fritz was more rapid in his movements, and when 
I at last overtook him, I was alarmed at seeing him, 
with Ernest, supporting his brother Jack, who, pale and 
trembling, seemed ready to fall.' 

"My dear boy," I exclaimed, "what has happened.? 
Where are you injured ,? " 

"I do not know," he replied, his teeth chattering as 
he spoke. "Some monster attacked me, and I thought 
it was another lion." 

"I do not believe Jack is really hurt, father," said 
Ernest; "but we have had an encounter with a wild 
boar — an enormous beast with tusks at least six inches 
long. He was digging in the soil, and when the dogs 
attacked him he rushed at poor Jack and knocked him 
down ; you know Jack is always so daring in danger, 
and he went too close. My first shot disabled the crea- 
ture and made it possible for Jack to get up, and the 
dogs, with the jackal and my second shot, followed by 
one from Fritz, completed the victory." 

" I hope you are not really injured by the horrid 
beast," I said, as I examined his chest and his arms. 
[366] 


THE MYSTERIOUS MESSAGE 

"'You have had a serious shock, my boy. To be thrown 
down by such a creature is enough to shake the strongest 
nerves, especially after what occurred last night, and I 
thank God that you have escaped more terrible danger.” 

I gave the trembling patient a glass of canary sack, 
a flask of which I had fortunately brought with me, 
and leading him to our little cabin on board the yacht, 
told him to lie down, hoping that a little refreshing 
sleep would calm his nerves. 

” Father,” said Ernest, when I returned to examine 
the large booty he had secured, ” this animal has made 
a discovery for us. He was digging for truffles, and 
there are quantities of them here. I thought at first 
they were potatoes. I have a few here to show you. 
Master Nip also dug some up, and ate a large quantity 
before I could stop him.” 

” This is a splendid discovery, Ernest,” I said, after 
examining the tubular root ; ” and if I am not mis- 
taken, they are of the best species. You must obtain 
a supply to carry home to your mother. But now let 
us see what is to be done with the monster which has 
caused us so much alarm ; it must not be left here 
for the dogs and the jackal to devour.” 

I made this remark because I could see that Fritz 
was anxious to assist with the preparation of the boar 
and therefore unwilling to leave it till the next day. 

"Well,” exclaimed Fritz, as we advanced closer to the 
monstrous animal, "this will be a good opportunity to 
replace our Westphalia hams ; the haunches of this 
creature will be of an enormous size.” The removal 

[367] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

of the skin, and the cutting up of the body into joints, 
occupied nearly the whole day. 

Ernest requested that the head be dried whole and 
preserved for our museum, to which I readily consented. 
The dogs and the jackal were feasted with the refuse. 
They were, however, employed by Ernest to discover 
the truffles, obtaining quite as many as he wished. 

Fritz broke off large branches from the trees, which 
he interlaced one with another to form sledges by which 
to carry our booty to the shore. In loading I noticed 
among the truffles some roots of a different shape and 
color, and on opening one, found that it contained a 
ball of yellowish wool, which I knew was the produce 
of a tree growing near Nanking, a city of China, and 
much used in Europe for the manufacture of a material 
for dresses both of men and women. 

This discovery greatly pleased me, as I knew my wife 
would be glad of the wool to spin into thread and weave. 
The dogs drew two of the tree sledges, and Fritz and 
Ernest the others, so that we reached the shore with 
our booty and carried it on board without accident. Jack 
assisted in this work, for although he still looked pale 
and shaken, his long sleep had refreshed him. 

After our work was finished we again stepped on 
shore, and lighted a fire between stones, as usual, to 
cook our supper. As soon as it was clear and glow- 
ing, we placed potatoes in the hot ashes and some 
slices of the boar’s ham on the stones. I was glad to 
observe that Jack enjoyed his supper of fried ham and 
baked potatoes as greatly as the rest of us. 

[368] 


THE MYSTERIOUS MESSAGE 


I decided to start early next morning on the home- 
ward voyage, for the flesh of the wild boar required 
to be salted and smoked as quickly as possible. Besides, 
we had been absent four days, and I knew the mother 
would be anxious. 

Another reason for this return presented itself. I was 
unwilling to hinder Fritz from attempting the discovery 
of the writer of the message, although I looked upon 
it as a wild scheme and likely to fail. However, the 
yacht and canoe could easily start together, and by 
degrees we should lose sight of Fritz without causing 
undue surprise to his brothers. We therefore sailed next 
morning at an early hour and arrived without accident 
in Deliverance Bay, to the great joy of the mother 
and Frank, though the absence of Fritz caused my 
wife some little uneasiness. 


[369] 



CHAPTER XXXVI 

THE SEARCH FOR FRITZ — A VISITOR 

O UR adventures proved deeply interesting to my 
I wife and Frank, but created gnxiety in the 
mind of the former respecting the dangers 
we still incurred in these voyages and excursions. Our 
description of the battle with the lioness and the near 
approach of the lion, his glaring eyes and his frightful 
roar, filled her with apprehension. The account of Jack’s 
danger, when attacked and thrown down by the wild 
boar, made her tremble ; and she could scarcely be 
induced to believe that he was uninjured, especially as 
he still looked pale. 

Frank mourned over the death of poor old Floss with 
true regret, while Ernest produced the epitaph he had 
written to be placed over her grave. 

[370] 


THE SEARCH FOR FRITZ — A VISITOR 


Not having heard this effusion, I asked him to read it 
aloud. It ran as follows : 

BENEATH IN THE COOL GROUND RESTS 

FLOSS, 

A FAITHFUL DOG 
AND ALSO A TRUE FRIEND. 

BRAVE, STRONG, AND HEROIC IN THE HUNT, 

FEARLESS ON THE BATTLEFIELD, AND 
WATCHFUL FOR THE INTERESTS OF THOSE SHE SERVED, 

SHE MET HER DEATH 
FROM THE PAW OF A LION WHICH 
SHE HEROICALLY ATTACKED 
TO SAVE THOSE SHE LOVED 
FROM A SIMILAR FATE 

Capital, Ernest ! ” cried Jack. It shall be placed on 
her grave as soon as possible. I ’ll take care of that.” 

Our next care was for our booty. The hams of the 
wild boar, and other portions not needed for present 
use, were soon prepared for smoking. I knew that the 
head would make a delicious dish if baked in the Hot- 
tentot fashion, but I would not break my promise to 
Ernest, that he should have it in his museum. 

I forgot to state that I had managed before leaving 
the spot to take off the skins of the lions, as I knew 
they would make beautiful rugs for the feet in winter, if 
carefully cleaned and dressed. These skins, with that of 
the wild boar and the head of the creature, were carried 
next day to our tannery workshop on Shark’s Island. 

Five days passed, during which we worked hard at 
dressing the skins, Fritz still remaining absent. Our 
anxiety at length became so great that I determined to 
follow him, at least as far as Pearl Bay. 

[371 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

My proposal created great satisfaction, and my wife 
readily agreed to be of tbe party, especially when I 
explained to her that I intended to sail in the pinnace. 
With a large store of provision and a favorable wind, we 
embarked one fine morning, quitting Rock House amid 
joyous hurrahs and the barking of the dogs, who accom- 
panied us on board. We very quickly reached the en- 
trance to Church River, as we had named the stream 
beneath the vaulted rocks, but in passing through the 
opening we came suddenly to a standstill, as if we had 
run aground. 

The shock threw us all together on the deck, and I 
thought we had certainly struck rocks, for some object 
in front seemed to bar our passage ; but all at once, 
before our astonished eyes, the obstruction dissolved into 
water. At the distance of a few paces we heard a great 
noise and presently saw what appeared to be an immense 
waterspout rise in the air, then fall in heavy showers. 

'Ms not this one of those waterspouts which are so 
dangerous to sailors } ” exclaimed Frank, who had been 
the first to recover from the shock. 

" I do not think this can be a waterspout, Frank,” I 
replied, "because it rose in two columns of water, and 
a real waterspout has the appearance of a pillar. As it 
sometimes bursts over a ship, it is of course a dangerous 
object to meet.” 

I was about to express my opinion that what we had 
seen was caused by electricity, when another, though 
not so violent, shock induced me to believe that this 
time we were really aground. But the object against 

[372] 


THE SEARCH FOR FRITZ — A VISITOR 


which we had struck was now evidently swimming, and 
looking out, I saw an ungainly mass floating near us, 
which I recognized as an enormous flsh. 

I prepared my little cannon to be in readiness to Are 
at the monster when it again rose to the surface, which 
happened in a few minutes ; and two shots took fatal 
effect upon it. It struggled violently, then swam to a 
sand bank, on which it sank, leaving a trail of blood on 
the foaming surface of the sea. I believed the creature 
to be the cachalot whale and knew that the supposed 
waterspout was caused by the jets of water which these 
creatures throw into the air when they are angry. It had 
no doubt been sleeping on the water when we ran against 
it, and the jets from its nostrils were on account of its 
rage at being disturbed. 

We approached the sand bank and saw that the whale 
was at least forty feet long and not quite dead, for it 
lashed the shallow water with its tail so violently as to 
cover us completely with water and foam. We found it 
necessary and also merciful to put it out of its misery, 
and the animal very soon breathed its last and moved 
no more. 

We were about to express our joy at this unexpected 
triumph, when another circumstance suddenly attracted 
our attention. At some distance we perceived a canoe, 
and paddling hastily towards us, as we believed, a savage 
inhabitant of the country. As soon as he found himself 
observed, he disappeared behind a promontory. 

I was alarmed at the thought that he was gone to 
fetch others of his tribe, and we reloaded the cannon, 

[373] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

got our arms and ammunition ready, and waited for his 
reappearance. 

It was not long before a canoe with a single rower 
again came in sight and seemed also to be acting as a 
spy upon our movements. I hoisted a white flag, as a 
token of our wish to be friendly, but in vain. This 
savage also disappeared, and presently one, and then, 
another, showed himself on a point of land at a little 
distance and then vanished. Once more the savage in 
the canoe presented himself. I therefore immediately 
seized my speaking trumpet and uttered a few words in 
the Malay tongue, which I had learned from a book of 
travels, but with no result. 

At last Jack, who was becoming impatient, took up 
the speaking trumpet and pronounced with great energy 
a few nautical words in English, which, like my own, 
appeared to be lost in the air. 

In a few moments we saw the canoe approaching, 
with the savage in it and a green bough fastened to the 
prow. As it drew nearer, a burst of laughter greeted the 
rower; for in the swarthy savage we recognized our own 
Fritz, who with friendly signs and kisses thrown to us 
comically from his hand, paddled swiftly towards the boat. 

We took our brave boy on board, canoe and all, 
where amid much laughter, he was fondly kissed and 
welcomed in spite of his blackened face. He promised 
an explanation — impossible, he said, while questions 
and inquiries fell upon him in a storm on every side. 

At last I drew him apart and asked, in a low voice, 
if his journey had been successful. 

[374] 


THE SEARCH FOR FRITZ — A VISITOR 

"Yes, father,” he replied, "entirely so, and I have 
pleasant news for you.” 

I could not question further, as his mother drew near 
and insisted that he should wash off the dark stains, as 
she could not bear to look at him with that face. 

He went immediately to comply with her request and 
stood before us once more in his own person. 

His first question related to the firing he had heard 
near the entrance to the bay. 

"I was much alarmed,” he said, "for I never sup- 
posed you would put out to sea in your pinnace, now 
that she is rigged so like a yacht, and I imagined, 
therefore, that it was a strange vessel with two guns 
similar to ours.” 

Our adventure with the cachalot whale greatly inter- 
ested him, and when I asked if he could recommend a 
suitable spot in which to cast anchor he replied in a 
mysterious tone : " There is a pretty little island not 
far from here. I will lead you to it at once.” 

I smiled at his eagerness to lower his canoe into the 
sea again, while his mother and brothers looked on in 
surprise and wondered what great discovery he was about 
to show us. 

He unfurled the sails of the yacht, ran up the rig- 
ging, drew the ropes, and telling me which way to 
steer, sprang lightly from the boat to his canoe and 
led the way, like a pilot, to a picturesque little island 
in Pearl Bay. 

During this little voyage I had time to give the mother 
some account of the message which Fritz had found 

[375] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

tied to the leg of the albatross and the reply he had sent 
back by the same messenger. I wished also to explain 
the object of his recent absence and the happy result 
of his enterprise, so that she might be prepared for the 
appearance of the young English girl, who no doubt 
was on the island to which he was leading us. 

" Why did you not tell me this before } ” she asked, 
and I could see how much the news had startled her. 

" I was unwilling to raise hopes that might not be 
realized,” I replied, '‘but now, happily, there is no 
longer need for concealment.” 

The boys evidently suspected something, but I said 
nothing to them. 

” Let this young English girl make her own way,” I 
said to myself. ” If she is worth anything, she will 
easily do that.” 

We anchored on the shores of a little island, near a 
beautifully situated wood,^ and PTitz immediately landed, 
followed by myself and his brothers, who assisted the 
mother to reach the shore. 

I saw the young men glance with great curiosity at a 
little cavity between the branches of a tall palm tree, 
which appeared to have been used as a resting place and 
before which stood a fire hearth constructed of pebbles, 
and in the center of the fire, for a saucepan, a beautiful 
but gigantic mussel shell. 

Fritz was in advance of us, looking earnestly into the 
wood and seeming scarcely to notice that we had landed. 

Presently he raised his voice and shouted, as one sailor 
shouts to another, " Ho ! hallo there, up aloft ! ” 

[376] 


THE SEARCH FOR FRITZ — A VISITOR 

We heard a rustling in the tree, and presently there 
appeared, gliding lightly down the stem, instead of a 
young girl, a beautiful youth dressed in sailor’s clothes. 

On seeing us the young stranger stood still, looking 
greatly embarrassed, and we also were too much taken 
by surprise to speak. 

Fritz came to the rescue. Taking off his plumed hat, 
he led the young sailor to his mother and exclaimed : 

Let me introduce to you, my mother, the young Lord 
Edward Montrose. Will you not welcome him as a 
friend and a brother ? ” 

We hastened to offer our earnest welcome to the timid 
stranger, whose manners were so refined and gentle as to 
win our hearts at once. 

As the head of the family I advanced, and taking the 
hand of the forsaken youth, promised him my friendship 
and protection. He replied timidly in a few words, and 
then turned to my wife as if asking for her motherly care. 

It was plain that Fritz did not wish to betray the 
sex of the stranger to his brothers while she wore the 
sailor’s attire. 

The young men were overjoyed at the prospect of a 
new companion. Even the dogs welcomed his appear- 
ance and frolicked around him joyfully. Determined on 
this occasion to prepare a royal feast, my sons ran hastily 
to the yacht and the canoe for camp table and stools and 
other necessary articles of crockery and table appliances, 
though it was rather before the regular supper hour. 

The mother also seemed ready not only to employ her 
skill in preparing a rich repast but also to make delicious 

[377] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


dishes with almonds, raisins, and cassava cakes sweetened 
with sugar. The young Edward nearly betrayed his sex 
by the knowledge he displayed during these perform- 
ances, but the young men were still deceived. 

The appearance of a human being of any description, 
after so many years of isolation from our fellow creatures, 
would of itself create excitement ; but this gentle, modest, 
silent youth, who had been thus mysteriously discovered, 
was in himself so charming that I could quite understand 
their anxiety to make him feel himself at home with them. 

When I considered it advisable to give the signal for 
retiring, the stranger rose at once to proceed to his home 
in the tree, but he was prevented by my wife, who had 
prepared a more agreeable night’s lodging on board the 
yacht, and without a word he followed her. 

Having lighted the watch fires, my sons seated them- 
selves round them to discuss the event of the evening 
over a number of pineapples, while with strong curiosity 
they questioned Fritz. 

"What induced you to go in search of a stranger.?’’ 
asked Frank ; " or at least, how did you know where to 
find him .? ” 

Fritz, in reply, related his adventure with the albatross 
and described the message which was tied to its leg and 
all that had occurred since, from beginning to end ; but he 
so mixed up the name of Jenny with that of Lord Edward 
Montrose that his brothers began to suspect something of 
the truth. A question from Jack settled the matter. 

"Did you not understand the Malay words that papa 
spoke, Fritz .? ” 


[378] 


THE SEARCH FOR FRITZ — A VISITOR 


''Yes,” he replied. "But they alarmed me still more, 
for my head was full of Malay pirates, the young Edward 
having told me that they infested this coast. But when 
I heard those English nautical terms, I believed it was an 
English vessel coming in search of Miss Jenny, and I — ” 

" Ha, ha, ha ! ” laughed the boys merrily; and Ernest 
exclaimed: "You have betrayed your secret, Mr. Fred- 
erick. Your young lord is transformed into a young 
lady, and our new brother into a gentle and amiable 
sister. Long live Miss Jenny!” 

Fritz was for a moment disconcerted, but soon joined 
heartily in the joyous cheers of his brothers, till at 
length * I reminded them that it was time to retire to 
rest for the night. 

I related to my wife the discovery made by our 
younger boys, and on rising next morning she arranged, 
by a little alteration, some of her own attire to suit the 
young girl who had been thus thrown upon her motherly 
care and tenderness. Providing her with a comb to 
smooth out her long golden tresses, which had, on the 
evening previous, hung loosely on her shoulders and 
given her, in a boy’s dress, the appearance of a youth of 
fourteen, she presented her to the family in her real 
character. 

The young men came forward at once to address her 
as " Miss Jenny,” feeling half inclined to rally her on the 
deception she had practiced upon them ; but she looked 
so gentle and ladylike, and blushed so painfully, that they 
changed their tactics and met her with brotherly kind- 
ness and respect. 


[379] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


For breakfast Fritz had made some chocolate for 
Jenny, who had been accustomed to it in her native 
country ; and after we had finished I was preparing 
myself to hear some account of the young stranger and 
also from Fritz a description of his adventures and doings 
during the five days of his absence. But he set aside my 
curiosity by reminding me that the cachalot whale must 
not be allowed to remain under the burning sun if we 
wished to obtain anything from it. 

" Is any part of it edible } ” asked Ernest. 

" I think not,” I replied ; ” but, like other whales, it is 
useful for its oil, as well as for a beautiful, white, waxy 
substance, known as spermaceti, found in the enormous 
head, which sometimes furnishes as much as twenty tons. 
This will be very useful to us, as it makes the best of 
candles. My only trouble will be to find vessels enough 
to carry it away.” 

"We use hempen sacks in England,” said Jenny, 
modestly. " Would you not try them .? They would carry 
the spermaceti, I think.” 

This idea appeared so feasible that I had all our sacks 
emptied, and after being well beaten on a flat stone to 
thicken them, they were placed on board the yacht, the 
young men following with the two dogs and the jackal. 
Fritz, however, accompanied us in his canoe. 

We were not long in reaching the sand bank where 
the monster lay drying in the sun ; but no sooner were 
we alongside than the dogs. Brownie and Fawn, rushed 
towards it, and before we could reach the spot such 
howling, barking, and snarling were heard behind the 
[380] 


THE SEARCH FOR FRITZ — A VISITOR 


Stranded fish that we feared the dogs had met with 
dangerous enemies. 

We arrived in time to see a troop of wolves disputing 
fiercely with our dogs their right to the prey. Two of 
the wolves already lay dead on the sand, and two others 
were being held firmly by the dogs ; the rest had fled. 
We also recognized a few jackals, and at this moment 
our tame jackal, which had remained close to Jack 
hitherto, caught sight of his fellows. Instinct was too 
strong for him ; disregarding the calls or commands of his 
master, he started forward with a bound to join them. 

Fritz would have fired at the deserter, but I prevented 
him from doing so, because I feared that my wife and 
the young stranger would be alarmed if they heard firing. 
Meanwhile the wolves had been vanquished by our brave 
bodyguard, who returned to us with ears greatly torn and 
other bleeding wounds. Jack took charge of them, and 
after a while I saw with satisfaction that the poor animals 
were licking each other’s wounds, which treatment I knew 
would prove a far better remedy than any salve. 

The way being now clear, I seized one of the sacks 
and held it open near the head of the creature, while 
Fritz mounted the slippery side of the mountain of flesh 
and with one blow of his hatchet laid open the skull. By 
using a scoop, I quickly filled the sacks, one after another, 
with a good store of spermaceti, which we carried on 
board the yacht with the four dead wolves. We returned 
to the little island shortly before the dinner hour. 

I intended on the afternoon of this day to take the 
skin from the wolves, in doing which I required help 

[381] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


from all the boys. Jack, however, was anxious to reclaim 
his jackal, and Fritz wished to carry the bags of sper- 
maceti to Shark’s Island on his canoe. I was therefore 
rather in a difficulty. 

" I will recover the jackal,” said Jenny, with a smile, 
” if Fritz will lend me his canoe to-morrow. I am not 
afraid of going alone,” she added, "and when you hear 
my history you will understand why. I shall require only 
some pieces of wolf’s skin.” 

I was surprised at this daring spirit in so young a girl, 
but I agreed to her proposal willingly, for I could see that 
my younger sons were inclined to treat the matter as a 
joke. Jack remained at the island with his two brothers, 
to assist me in skinning the wolves, while Fritz started in 
his canoe to carry the bags of spermaceti to Shark’s Island. 

During the evening and part of the night Jenny was 
employed in the cabin with the mother in cutting out and 
making a muzzle of the pieces of wolf’s skin. She rose 
early and after breakfast was provided with a flask of 
fresh water and a basket of provisions. Fritz wished to 
assist her, but she sprang lightly on board the canoe 
and paddled out into the bay with a cleverness and ease 
that surprised us all. 

On reaching the sand bank, as she told us afterwards, 
she passed round it at first and landed on the banks of 
the stream, near the wood ; but there appeared no signs 
of the jackal. She had brought with her from the canoe 
meat and water to tempt him, and at last she stood still, 
and raising her voice, called " Hunter, Hunter ! ” in gen- 
tle, friendly tones. Then she wandered from point to 
[382] 


THE SEARCH FOR FRITZ — A VISITOR 


point at a little distance, and calling his name again, saw 
the poor animal slowly approaching and looking almost 
dead with hunger. She threw him a piece of sopped 
biscuit, still cautiously approaching nearer, and at last 
placed before him some pemmican moistened with water 
in a calabash shell. While he was eating it she threw 
round his neck a piece of cord, speaking kindly all the 
time, and then, still holding the end of the cord, filled the 
calabash shell with water, which he eagerly drank. It 
was not difficult after this to place the muzzle on his 
nose and lead him to the canoe. He submitted without a 
struggle ; indeed, he seemed to be fascinated with his new 
mistress, allowing her even to tie his hind legs loosely 
together and place him before her on the deck of 
the canoe. 

All this occupied time, and it was not until nearly noon 
that we espied the canoe approaching. As it drew nearer 
we all stood on the shore and saw the little maiden pad- 
dling bravely towards the land, with the jackal seated 
gravely in front of her like a regular passenger and look- 
ing so comical with his new muzzle that the canoe was 
received, on reaching the land, with shouts of laughter. 

Hunter was quickly released from his muzzle and his 
bonds. He appeared so humbled and ashamed of him- 
self that we had no doubt he had been scouted by his 
own species and left to starve. 


[383] 



THE ADVENTURES OF FRITZ — JENNY'S 
HISTORY 

IT HAD now become anxious to return to Rock Castle, 
but before doing so it was necessary to visit the spot 
J-L near the burning mountain, at which Jenny had left 
all that she had saved from shipwreck. 

I also felt that this was the time to hear an account 
of the adventures of Fritz during his five days’ absence, 
and a little of the history of this young girl whom we 
had received as a dear daughter and sister. 

After dinner, therefore, on the day of the jackal’s 
return, we seated ourselves on the shore to listen to 
Fritz. Jenny retired to her little recess near the tree, 
with a book Ernest had lent her. She shrank from hear- 
ing a description of herself and her doings and judged 
rightly that Fritz would speak more freely in her absence. 
[384] 


THE ADVENTURES OF FRITZ 


You will remember,” he began, " that when I pad- 
died away from the boat I intended to proceed at once 
to the open sea. I was full of energy, but conscious of 
danger and agitated with a thousand fears respecting 
the safety of this poor shipwrecked English girl. Still 
I did not lose courage, and after commending myself 
to the care of Providence I became more hopeful ; and 
the idea that if I dared this expedition it would lead to 
association with fellow beings and perhaps furnish the 
means of our leaving this isolated position grew almost 
to certainty in my mind. 

On reaching the open sea the wind, although light, 
came from a quarter likely to carry me among dan- 
gerous rocks if it blew with greater force, and I had 
scarcely reached Pearl Bay when a gale arose which 
threatened to drive me on the rocky shore, so that I 
dared not venture farther out to sea, lest the waves 
should overpower my little skiff. Towards evening the 
wind died, and on my knees I thanked God for my 
preservation. 

” I could not, however, venture on shore, but finding 
a corner for the canoe beneath an overhanging rock, 
sufficiently protected from the wind as well as inacces- 
sible to wild beasts, I slept peacefully on a heap of sand 
and broken rocks between two large stones after eating 
my supper of cold meat — for I feared to light a fire 
lest it should attract enemies. 

” I had a refreshing night, even on my hard couch ; 
and on rising next morning with lighter spirits, found 
myself near a coast quite unknown to me. I still kept 

[385] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


close inshore, examining the summit of every elevation 
of rock or hill with the hope of discovering some sign 
of a volcano. 

'' The coast was sandy and barren, but I could see 
outlines of thick forests in the distance, and as I drew 
nearer I noticed that the boughs and lower trunks were 
covered with a wonderful growth of creeping plants. I 
took these creepers for pepper plants, since a large num- 
ber of toucans, or pepper birds, who feed on this fruit, 
surrounded the canoe. 

" I ceased paddling now and then for a while to watch 
these birds, which were lively and even playful in their 
movements. They would break off the little pepper 
grapes, throw them in the air, and catch them most 
cleverly in their open beaks. 

''Very shortly I found myself in a vast extent of 
ocean, although really a bay, and in one point an arm 
of the sea ran inland from it, which I determined to 
explore. 

" After noticing that the tide had just turned and 
would carry me onward for some distance, I rested my 
paddle and gave myself up to the enjoyment of the 
wonderful scenes which lay spread out on both sides 
of the stream. At length, to my surprise, I discovered 
that this beautiful country was occupied not only by 
birds of varied plumage, which made the air melodious 
with their songs, but by elephants, hippopotami, and 
even glistening serpents ; and in spite of the heat I pad- 
died quickly for miles before I could find a spot on 
which it appeared safe to land. 

[386] 


THE ADVENTURES OF FRITZ 


'' After some hours I came upon a calm and peaceful 
country, where no sound disturbed the stillness but the 
twitter of birds, the humming of bees, and the rushing 
of a waterfall from the distant rocks. 

" Here I landed, and finding a number of fine oysters 
on the beach, lighted a fire and cooked some for my 
supper ; then mooring my canoe to a large stone and 
pushing it from the shore, I determined to sleep on 
board, as the safest place. 

” I awoke early, and with a thankful heart proceeded 
on my way till about noon, when, feeling tired, I deter- 
mined to land near a little wood in which a great num- 
ber of parrots kept up a tremendous chattering and 
screaming. 

” Here, as all appeared safe, I released my eagle, un- 
covered his eyes, and set him free to find his own break- 
fast and mine. He soon returned with a parrot, which 
I gave him for himself and then fired among the trees, 
where I had observed many larger birds than parrots, 
which I thought would be agreeable eating. 

"Two fell, and while picking them up I heard behind 
me a rustling among the trees like the movements of a 
land crab or turtle. I turned at the sound and saw with 
a sinking heart an enormous tiger not more than ten or 
fifteen paces from me. It was too late to run, for with 
one bound he could have reached me. 

"For a moment I stood motionless ; then upon the 
tiger’s head pounced the eagle, dazzling the beast with 
his broad, flapping wings and fiercely attacking his head 
with beak and claws. 


[387] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


'' I took courage. The tiger, engaged in defending 
himself, did not notice me, and approaching nearer, I 
shot him through the head. But I could scarcely rejoice 
over my victory, for in his fall the eagle, whose talons 
were embedded in the tiger’s skin, fell with him and 
was crushed to death beneath the animal’s weight. 

" I lifted the remains of my faithful pet from under 
the monster, and with tears carried it to the canoe, feel- 
ing that his last act had been his greatest, for he had 
saved my life at the expense of his own. I have brought 
him home to be stuffed and placed in our museum.” 

This account of the eagle’s death pained us all greatly, 
although the excitement caused by the new arrival had 
so occupied us that the creature’s absence had been 
unnoticed. No remark, however, was made to interrupt 
Fritz, who continued his narration. 

” I quitted the place in sadness, being too anxious to 
continue my journey to spare time for skinning the 
tiger, whose striped fur was very beautiful ; yet as I pad- 
died on a feeling of discouragement came over me and 
I had almost determined to give up attempting to dis- 
cover the sender of the message, when suddenly a num- 
ber of rocky hills appeared in the distance, and from 
one of the peaks there rose a slight wreath of fire-tinged 
smoke. 

” This sight filled me with new life. I hastened for- 
ward with all my strength, and at length reached the 
base of the mountainous rock, which rose from the 
center of a small but fertile island. 

” I had to paddle for some distance along the coast 

[388] 


THE ADVENTURES OF FRITZ 

before I could discover a suitable landing place, for the 
slopes of the rock extended in some points to the water’s 
edge. At last, reaching a shingly beach spreading inland 
for some distance and bounded on the right by a little 
forest that clothed the mountain’s side, I sprang on 
shore, and after walking for a little distance, came sud- 
denly on a bend in a chain of rocks and beheld with 
joyful astonishment the first human being, except those 
of my own family, that I had seen for many years — a 
youthful figure dressed like a boy and seated near the 
burning rock by which I had been guided. 

" When within a few paces, I said with deep emotion : 
' Welcome, shipwrecked daughter of England ! I am 
come to rescue you. God in his mercy has helped me 
to find you and answer your appeal for aid.’ 

'' I have often feared that my pronunciation of Eng- 
lish words made them difficult to be understood, but 
Jenny seemed to comprehend. She spoke to me in 
French, as she does now to us all, but was so agitated 
and timid that I could scarcely make her aware of the 
change that awaited her. 

" I was myself almost too much overcome to explain, 
but at length we became more composed and able to 
ask questions and make replies that were satisfactory. 

" Seating myself by her side, I told her of our own 
shipwreck, and how my parents, three brothers, and 
myself had lived on an uninhabited island for ten 
years, had cultivated the land and made homes of our 
own, and had now sheep and cattle and poultry in 
abundance. 


[389] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


" She seemed surprised at this recital and scarcely 
able to believe it ; and yet, as she told me, she had 
made herself a nest in the thick branches of a tree 
in the forest, and the things she had saved from the 
wreck were stowed away in a grotto near where we sat. 

' I am wearing a sailor boy’s clothes while I am 
alone,’ she said, blushing, 'because I can climb the tree 
better and move about more freely, but before you take 
me to your relatives I must change my dress.’ ” 

"And did she tell you about herself or her relatives, 
Fritz ” I asked, " or anything of the ship in which 
she was wrecked ? ” 

" Oh, yes ! She told me that her father, a major in 
an English regiment, had been in India for many 
years ; that she had lost her mother when only seven 
years old.” 

The history of this young girl, which in good • time 
we heard, shall here be related. After the death of his 
wife the major’s pride in his dearly loved and only 
child made him determine not only to take charge of 
her education himself but to bring her up to ride like 
an Amazon and even accustom herself to the use of 
firearms ; in short, to be fit for any society and yet able 
to act with courage and self-dependence in case of peril 
or reverse of fortune. 

The natural aptitude of Miss Montrose made her, 
with this training, even at the age of seventeen, a self- 
controlled, accomplished girl, as clever in the manage- 
ment of a gun and a horse as in more womanly 
accomplishments. 


[390] 


JENNY’S HISTORY 


At about this time Major Montrose was promoted 
to the command of a detachment of soldiers in the 
service, who were going to Europe in a transport ship 
of war with a number of invalid soldiers. His daughter 
of course could not accompany him on board a man of 
war to England, and as the major was unwilling to 
leave her behind in India he took a passage for her 
in a fast-sailing passenger ship, — intrusting her -to the 
care of his friend Captain Greenfield, who commanded 
it, — hoping that his daughter would arrive in England, 
under proper care, as soon as himself. 

Miss Montrose therefore went cheerfully on board 
the corvette Dorcas^ under the care of Captain Green- 
field, sailing two days before her father from the 
Hooghly, at the mouth of the Ganges. 

The voyage for the first few days was pleasant and 
uneventful, but the appearance of a French frigate and 
a frightful storm drove the Dorcas far out of her course 
and prevented her from reaching the harbor of the 
island of Batavia, as the captain had hoped to do. 

Driven still farther eastward by stormy and adverse 
winds, the ship at last struck on a rock on the northern 
coast of New Guinea, and the sailors and passengers 
had only time to throw themselves into the boats on 
an unknown sea and endeavor to find a shore on which 
to land in safety. In the darkness of night the boats 
were soon separated, and the one containing Jenny 
Montrose became a complete wreck on the rocks which 
surrounded our lonely island, and strange to say, the 
young girl was the only one who escaped. 

[391 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


" She described to me/’ explained Fritz, " her recovery 
from the insensibility which had been caused by the 
fierceness with which the waves had dashed her on the 
shore, and said that after rousing herself and at once 
submitting to circumstances, she determined to search 
the lonely shore for the means of nourishment to keep 
her alive, for she still hoped that the boat had been 
saved and would return for her. 

' ' The few articles washed on shore — among them 
some of her own belongings and a sailor’s chest contain- 
ing among other useful things a tinder box and matches 
— were very acceptable. She could now light a fire and 
prepare her own food, which consisted of fish, oysters, 
mussels, and fruit of several kinds. The sailor boy’s 
dress, which she had hastily assumed when the ship 
struck, she still wore, as you know, when we found her. 

" Being a good swimmer, she knew it was a more 
safe dress, in case of danger on the sea, than female 
attire. Indeed, she assured me that had she not been 
able to swim when the boat was capsized, nothing could 
have saved her. Yet most of all is she thankful that 
God, in his great mercy, not only saved her life but 
sent the wounded albatross to be tended and cared for 
till it was well enough to carry a message to those 
who could rescue her.” 

It was midnight before this account was finished. 
She had passed us, with a pleasant good night, on the 
way to her sleeping berth on board the yacht, and full 
of gladness at this addition of a dear daughter and 
sister to our family circle, we all rose to retire to rest. 

[392] 




THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


We assembled at breakfast next morning with feel- 
ings of near relationship to the young English stranger, 
and more than ever anxious to take her to our home 
at Rock Castle. I entreated her to look upon my wife 
and myself as her parents till we could communicate 
with Major Montrose. 

She could not remember the date of the shipwreck 
and had not kept account of the days and weeks as 
they passed on that lonely island. 

Fritz asked her how long a time elapsed before the 
albatross returned with our message in answer to hers. 

" Oh ! ” exclaimed Jenny, I was getting quite sad and 
despairing when the bird returned with those words 
in English, ' Trust in God, help is at hand,’ fastened 
to his leg. I was beginning to feel as if I were the only 
human being in the world, and that I was left alone 
among the rocks to die ; but I shall never despair again, 
for I have learned to trust him always. Besides, has 
he not given me new parents and brothers, whom I can 
love and trust } I hope I shall prove as useful and 
childlike to them as they can wish.” 

"You cannot be more thankful for meeting with us,” 
I exclaimed, "than are we at being able to save you. 
A dear helper you will be to us, my daughter, and 
welcome as long as you remain.” 

"Perhaps, dear Jenny,” said the mother, "you may 
be even happier here, as a member of our little colony, 
than in a world overladen with a host of cares in every 
class of society. At all events, I am rejoiced to have 
found a daughter who is so able and willing to help 

[394] 


JENNY’S HISTORY 

me in my advancing years and to be the kind of com- 
panion that only a daughter can be.” 

All was. bustle and haste when we had finished break- 
fast. The provisions and articles useful at meals were 
quickly carried on board, with Jenny’s box and other 
things brought from the cave under the burning rock ; 
Fritz hastened to prepare his canoe, while his brothers 
hoisted sail on board the pinnace and got everything 
in readiness for the voyage. 

We started early. The morning was delightful, the 
sea calm except for a slight ripple caused by the gentle 
breeze which carried us towards our colony, and I deter- 
mined to proceed to Cape of False Hope, landing first 
at Prospect Hill, which we reached before sunset. 

Jenny had observed our watchtower, with its guard- 
house, cannons, and flag, on. the heights of Shark’s 
Island, near which we passed. But her delight was still 
greater when we landed at Prospect Hill and proceeded 
through the farm and plantations to our Kamchatkan 
summerhouse in the trees. She paused in front , of it 
and exclaimed : ” Why, this is fairyland ! I can scarcely 
believe it is true.” 

Seated at supper in the cool tent which we erected, 
Jenny found it all true ; and when she retired with the 
mother to the dwelling in the tree to rest, she felt as if 
a new life had been opened to her even on a desert isle. 
The boys and I lighted our watch fires and slept peace- 
fully in the tent. 


[395 ] 



CHAPTER XXXVIII 

THE WELCOME AT ROCK HOUSE — CONCLUSION 


N THE next day the young men took their 



new sister to th^ farm at Wood Grange. Her 


pleasure at once more beholding a beautiful 
landscape with noble trees and verdant meadows was 
almost childlike in its earnestness, and she was equally 
delighted with the domestic animals. The sheep and 
cattle grazing in the meadow, the goats with their kids, 
the pigs, the fowls, the turkeys, guinea hens, ducks, and 
geese filled her with wonder, when found on an island 
which ten years before had been uninhabited. 

After looking over the farm we set sail, and leaving 
Falcon’s Nest for another visit, proceeded to Whale 
Island, Fritz and Frank remaining behind to carry out 
plans of their own. 

The rabbits greatly pleased our young visitor. I told 
her she must now look upon them as her own property, 


[396] 


THE WELCOME AT ROCK HOUSE 


and that I hoped she would soon have time and incli- 
nation to prepare and weave their silky hair for her 
own use. 

We next steered towards Deliverance Bay, and on 
reaching the entrance a grand salute of twelve shots 
reechoed from rock to rock. Ernest thought it should 
have been thirteen. He had read, he said, that a salute 
of honor should always be in odd numbers. I therefore 
gave him permission to follow that rule in our answer 
from the pinnace. 

While passing Shark’s Island we saw Fritz and Frank 
coming to meet us in the canoe. They were soon along- 
side, and in a loud voice Fritz hailed us, exclaiming : 
'' In the name of the whole colony of this island we bid 
you welcome to Rock Castle. We regret that we have 
not had the honor of your companionship in this voy- 
age, but our duties at the castle have rendered it impos- 
sible.” Then they led the way to Rock Castle, through 
the gardens, orchards, and shrubberies which lay on 
the rising ground that rose gently to our dwelling. 

Jenny’s surprise was at its height as she passed these 
signs of cultivation, but it grew to wonder as she gazed 
on the frontage of the castle in the rocks, with its broad 
balcony, its fountains, its large pigeon houses, and the 
umbrageous foliage that crept over columns and roof. 

My surprise and that of my wife equaled the young 
girl’s when I saw a table laid out in the veranda with 
every article that could be gathered for it, new or old, 
European or the production of the island. Homemade 
china, bamboo and coco-shell vessels, glass tumblers, 

[397] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


decanters, spoons and forks from the captain’s chest, 
were upon the table and not empty. 

There were Canary wine and mead in flasks, splendid 
pineapples resting on green leaves, oranges in pyramids 
filling the china dishes, fresh milk from the cow in 
calabash bowls ; while the center of the table was occu- 
pied by dishes containing cold fowl, ham, and dried fish. 
Fastened at each end of the veranda was a bird with 
outstretched wings, from our museum. Over the table 
was suspended a large piece of linen cloth on which had 
been placed many-colored flowers, forming, in large let- 
ters, the following words : "Welcome to Jenny Montrose, 
and may blessings attend her entrance into our home ! ” 

Too much overcome to speak in reply to this welcome, 
the young girl was silent until I took her hand and led 
her to a seat between the mother and myself. Ernest 
and Jack Seated themselves opposite us, but Fritz and 
Frank, who considered themselves the entertainers, would 
not sit down, but waited upon us with table napkins 
on their arms, carving the joints, pouring the wine, and 
changing the plates, like waiters at a hotel. 

After dinner the young men took upon themselves 
the task of showing Jenny their beautiful Rock Castle, 
to the maiden’s great wonder and delight. To the house 
and the cave ; through gardens and fields ; to the winter 
stalls of the animals, the cart, sledge, and boathouses 
they led her with eager anxiety, not wishing to leave a 
single corner unnoticed, till the mother, fearing the poor 
"girl would be tired, went out and good-naturedly relieved 
her from the services of these thoughtless cavaliers. 
[398] 


THE WELCOME AT ROCK HOUSE 


On the following day we were ready early, and after 
breakfast started to pay a visit to Falcon’s Nest. I con- 
sidered it advisable for us all to go, as some repairs 
and arrangements which would occupy us for several days 
were sure to be necessary. 

Our beasts of burden were all at Falcon’s Nest ; we 
had therefore to perform the journey on foot. Jack, 
to the great amusement of Jenny, mounted the ostrich 
and rode on quickly in advance. At the end of a quarter 
of an hour he returned with a troop of animals and 
among them the ox, the buffalo, and the onager ; but 
nothing could induce Jenny to ride any one of them. 

We found, as I expected, a great deal to do in repair- 
ing our aerial castle and the stables for the animals, in 
preparation for the rainy season, which was drawing near. 

The young men were therefore busily engaged every 
day till the evening, and the mother had a loving and 
useful companion in Jenny, who helped her in cooking 
and needlework. She quickly became accustomed to the 
beasts of burden and allowed Jack to place her on his 
buffalo, which she soon learned to ride fearlessly. 

The work at Falcon’s Nest employed us a whole 
week, but the time passed pleasantly, although threaten- 
ing clouds, and now and then a shower, drove us to the 
shelter of our castle in the tree or to the gallery around 
it over the stables. The presence of the young girl and 
her gay talk were new to my boys and inspired them 
with fresh energy. 

Before returning to Rock Castle we went to Wood 
Grange, to gather in a store of rice and other useful 

[399] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


articles and especially straw for weaving mats and baskets, 
as well as small canes for hurdles and hencoops to be 
made indoors while the rain lasted. 

On our return to Rock Castle we formed quite a pro- 
cession — beasts and birds, apes and dogs, carriages and 
baskets, and Jenny on the buffalo, with Fritz as her pro- 
tector. Although it was pleasant to observe the varied 
scenery of wood and meadow, rock and valley, and be- 
yond all the great sea, we were glad, when we arrived, 
to be able to make ready our winter home. And we were 
only just in time, for the rains very shortly commenced 
and were accompanied by storms of thunder and light- 
ning. We again heard the roaring of the waves as they 
dashed against the shore, and we knew by the howling 
winds that the season of winter and rain had come. 

But this lonely period passed more pleasantly than 
ever, thanks to dear Jenny, whose vivacity and accom- 
plishments enlivened our hours of recreation. She taught 
us how to make mats, and even carpets, of plaited straw 
and rushes, while she amused us with tales of her life 
in England and India. 

She also induced me to recall memories of our own 
native land and listened earnestly to our descriptions of 
Switzerland and its mountains and valleys. 

In the evenings, when we were all assembled, she 
assisted the boys in their study of English and made 
them speak it so constantly that Fritz in particular, who 
had studied it alone, became quite proficient. 

She already spoke French, so that she soon acquired 
the Swiss language, which so much resembles it. In 
[400] 


CONCLUSION 


fact this rainy season was a happy time ; and when at 
last the sunshine of spring chased away the clouds, and 
the rain suddenly cleared, we could scarcely believe that 
so many weeks had elapsed since we had been first 
made prisoners. 

But the beautiful spring and the duties it brought in 
field, orchard, and garden aroused us to activity ; and 
Jenny was quite ready to join us or to assist the mother 
in her poultry yard or kitchen. 

Fritz and Jack expressed a wish one morning to pro- 
ceed to the heights of Shark’s Island to examine the 
coast from our guardhouse and discover whether any 
signs of a wreck had been cast upon our shores during 
the season of storms. I advised them to search the 
horizon with the telescope and also to fire two signal 
guns, in case of a ship being near us and requiring 
assistance. 

The wreck of Jenny’s ship so near our coast made 
us imagine it possible that a similar disaster might again 
occur in our neighborhood. 

The young girl, although she had learned to love us 
all, especially '‘mother,” as she called her, would yet 
sometimes express an anxiety to hear of her father. 
We had no means of doing so, unless a ship might 
happen to touch at the island or approach near it. 

The young men proceeded to the heights to carry 
out their wishes as well as my own. I was not then 
aware of the longing for their own country which the 
appearance of the young girl from Europe had created 
in the minds of two of my sons. 

[401 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


Their excitement may perhaps be understood, when, 
after scanning the horizon and the coast without result, 
they fired two signal guns and were answered from a 
distance westward by three distinct shots. 

They reached the shore by the shortest way, and 
jumping on board the canoe, rowed with all their 
strength to the beach where I stood. 

What is it ? what has happened ” I asked, as I 
noticed their excitement. 

" O father, father ! have you not heard .? ” was the 
reply, as they rushed into my arms. 

I had not heard a sound and could not at all compre- 
hend the meaning of this agitation. 

''We heard three cannon shots in answer to ours ! ” 
cried Fritz. 

"The echo of your own," I replied, for I could not 
imagine anything else possible. 

"No, father," he said; "we have often heard the’ 
echo from our own firing, but not like this. The third 

report was too long after ours to be an echo." 

I knew not what to think. I had never considered 

what I should do in the event of the arrival of a Euro- 

pean ship. But was this a European ship, or Malay 
pirates, or a ship with the crew and passengers in peril 
on some dangerous coast .? I knew not. I therefore 
assembled my household, and we took counsel together, 
for it was a matter of great importance. 

Meanwhile night drew near, and we put off all further 
action till the following day, except that I gave orders 
to my three elder sons to watch with me in turn, from 
[402 ] 


CONCLUSION 


hour to hour, on the veranda, and listen during the 
still night air for any signal gun. 

Although the first part of the night was calm, a 
storm arose about midnight, and the howling wind and 
pelting raindrOp^"^made it impossible to hear any signal. 

For two days and nights the storm raged, and not 
until the third morning broke, clear and bright, could 
I venture to our guardhouse. Jack accompanied me, 
carrying a large flag to be raised or lowered as a signal 
to those at home whether we had good news or were 
threatened with danger. 

The sea was still rough, but the air clear, and I 
decided that Jack should fire three times and then listen 
for the reply, for I still had my suspicions that it was 
only the echo. Jack fired, leaving an interval of two 
minutes between each shot. 

We listened attentively, and presently through the 
air came the boom of a distant cannon ; a pause of 
two minutes, and then a second and a third. Seven 
shots altogether sounded in our ears. 

Jack began dancing about like one inebriated, while 
I hastily raised the signal flag and waved the other 
brought by Jack over my head. 

Then I remembered that we knew not; whether the 
guns we had heard were fired by friends or enemies. 

" What a fool I have been to raise the flag,” I cried, 
” and perhaps raise false hopes ! ” 

I instantly recharged the guns, and telling Jack to 
remain, as sentinel, hastened to Rock Castle. 

My household were in a state of great agitation as 

[403] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


they came forward to meet me, full of earnest inquiry 
and curiosity. I explained the shots we had heard, but 
was obliged to tell the truth respecting my fears ; how- 
ever, I announced my intention of going in the boat 
with Fritz to explore the coast and, if possible, discover 
the vessel. 

We took on board arms and sabers — with guns and 
pistols to be used, if needful, in self-defense, and the 
harpoons to be carried as lances — and steered to the 
left, round a rocky promontory which we had never 
yet passed and which stretched far into the sea. 

On reaching the extreme end of this point or cape, 
we found ourselves at the entrance of a little bay, and 
cautiously advancing, we espied a large ship, evidently 
European, with the English flag flying at the mast- 
head. Though our hearts rose in earnest thankfulness 
to God at this discovery, I still felt the necessity of 
caution. 

I could scarcely prevent- Fritz from rushing into the 
bay, — indeed I felt almost inclined to do the same 
myself, — but I remembered that the Asiatic pirates 
often carried the flags of other nations for purposes of 
their own. I decided, however, to venture nearer and 
And out to whom the vessel really belonged. 

We rowed slowly forward, close within shore, exam- 
ining the stranger curiously. It appeared to be a small 
frigate, lightly laden and with eight or ten tolerably 
large guns on each side. She lay at anchor at a dis- 
tance from land, as if for repairs, and on the shore 
we saw three tents from which smoke arose, making 
[404] 


CONCLUSION 


us suppose it was the dinner hour of the crew. An 
officer presently appeared on deck in the uniform of 
the English navy, and sharp-sighted Fritz decided that 
he must be the captain. 

We approached within hail of the ship, and in a 
moment the question came through the speaking 
trumpet, " What are you } ” 

" Englishmen,” was the reply by Fritz, in English. 

”What ship.?” 

''No ship. We will come again.” 

Without another word we turned away and rowed 
quickly round the point. We had discovered that the 
strangers were English, that the vessel was a man-of-war 
frigate, and that now we could visit them and offer 
them hospitality. 

This joyful news caused great excitement at home, 
and the mother advised that we at once get the pin- 
nace in readiness and go in state to visit the English 
ship, and not as adventurers in a poor little canoe. 

This proposal was received with great acclamations. 
Jenny was unusually excited ; indeed we were all scarcely 
able to sleep for thinking of the morrow’s voyage, 
when we should meet so many of our fellow creatures 
and perhaps learn news of the home we had lost for 
so many years. 

The pinnace was quickly prepared next morning and 
bedecked with flags, as for a joyful occasion ; and before 
noon we were all on board, neatly attired, and with a 
fair wind steering towards the point beyond which was 
the bay in which the frigate lay at anchor. 

[4°S] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

As we approached within a short distance of the 
frigate, we hoisted the English flag. 

Great was the astonishment of the ship’s company 
as our pretty vessel proceeded proudly up the bay ; and 
when within gunshot of the frigate, we dropped anchor 
and greeted them from our deck with loud cheers. 

Fritz and I then stepped into the tender of the pin- 
nace and rowed to the ship to pay our respects to the 
captain. He received us with great politeness, and 
after inviting us on board, led us to his cabin and 
brought out some old Cape wine in a most friendly 
manner. 

He then inquired to what good fortune he owed a 
visit from gentlemen carrying an English flag and in 
such outlandish seas as these. 

I briefly explained the circumstances which had brought 
me to the neighboring island, and how for ten years my 
wife and four sons and I had struggled against diffi- 
culties which were happily overcome. I mentioned the 
name of Jenny Montrose and spoke of her father, now 
Sir William Montrose, and Captain Greenfield, who was 
taking her to England when his ship was wrecked not 
far from our island, and gave an account of the young 
lady’s discovery by us. 

All the persons I spoke of were known to the captain, 
who told me his name was Littlestone, that he com- 
manded the frigate Uiiicorn, and was on his way to the 
Cape of Good Hope with dispatches from New South 
Wales. He had been driven on the coast by stress of 
weather, hoping to find a friendly port, but as none 
[406] 


CONCLUSION 


appeared, he had chosen this bay as a place of shelter 
and had anchored here for a time, till the damage done 
to the ship might be made good. He had heard the 
shots and answered them and was pleased to find that 
they had been the means of leading us to visit the ship. 

Before leaving, I invited the captain to visit my yacht, 
which he readily promised to do on the following day. 

Accordingly, on the next morning, a man-of-war’s boat 
arrived with Captain Littlestone. He brought with him 
an invalid gentleman named Wolston, who, with his 
wife and two little daughters aged ten and twelve, had 
been saved from a wreck and carried on board the frigate. 

Mr. Wolston had intended to proceed to the Cape of 
Good Hope and remain, in the hope of recruiting his 
health and strength, but on hearing an account of our 
territory from Captain Littlestone, was anxious to be 
introduced to us. We received our visitors cordially, 
and poor Jenny seemed overjoyed at meeting one who 
knew her father. I presented the captain with two 
baskets of English and foreign fruit of our own culti- 
vation, which, to sailors who had seen no land for 
weeks, was a great boon. It made him more than ever 
anxious to visit the island and see the gardens and 
orchards which had produced such fruit. 

After a stay of two days near the Unicom, we re- 
turned to our island, and on the following day Fritz 
sailed to the vessel in his canoe to pilot the man-of-war’s 
boat, with the captain and Mr. Wolston, to our shores. 
Their surprise at all they saw on the island, as well 
as at the prosperous condition of our flocks and herds, 
[407] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


was only equaled by the wonder they expressed at our 
dwellings and especially Rock Castle. 

Mr. Wolston, indeed, expressed a wish to remain with 
us on the island, if we could also receive his wife and 
two daughters ; to which arrangement we readily agreed, 
feeling naturally that the two girls, though young, would 
be companions for Jenny. 

" And now. Miss Montrose,” said the captain, ” what 
am I to do for you } I cannot offer to take you as a 
passenger in a man of war, as it is against the rules, 
but as soon as I reach England I will inquire about 
your father, and without doubt a vessel will be sent to 
these shores to enable you all to return to your native 
countries. What say you to that, my friend ? ” added 
the captain, addressing me. 

My wife and I had already talked the matter over, 
so that I was ready at once to reply. 

"No, Captain Littlestone, I have no wish to leave 
this pleasant island nor the homes which, by the bles- 
sing of God, are the result of our labor and industry, 
and my wife also is willing to live and die here ; but as 
to my sons ” — 

I paused, for I could see by the eager glances of Fritz 
and Jack what their answer would be. 

" Father,” said Fritz, "Jack and I have been for years 
longing for this opportunity of returning to Europe. May 
we have your permission } Mother,” he added, with deep 
emotion, " can you spare us .? ” And he rose and placed 
his arm around her neck, for although she had feared 
this result, she was scarcely prepared to meet it. 

[408] 


CONCLUSION 


’'Talk it over, my friends, talk it over,” said the 
captain, ” and let me know your decision before I sail, 
which will be in about a week.” 

And so it was arranged. The man-of-war’s boat was to 
bring Mr. and Mrs. Wolston and their two daughters in 
a few days, and the decision respecting our sons was to 
be sent back in a letter by the crew, unless, which was 
not unlikely, the captain came himself. 

Captain Littlestone came, as I expected, and I was 
charmed with the .little daughters of Mr. Wolston. I 
knew that their residence with us would involve great 
alterations, yet that was of no consequence when we 
considered the advantage of companionship for ourselves 
and our children. 

It was at last decided that when a ship came from 
England for Jenny Montrose my two sons should accom- 
pany her to that country. Then the captain addressed 
me: "My friend,” he said, "you have laid the founda- 
tion of a new colony among these islands. On reaching 
England I shall lay the matter before the government, 
if you are willing to acknowledge that government and 
to become subjects of the king of England. Shall I 
propose for this colony the name of New Switzerland.?” 

For a few moments, my heart was too full to speak, 
but at last I said, ” The name will be an honor to me, 
and I shall be proud of being the subject, as a colonist, 
of the British realm.” 

This answer was received by my sons with shouts of 
approval and the universal cry, "New Switzerland, hur- 
rah ! hurrah ! ” 


[409] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

And then, after expressing warm congratulations and 
hopes of meeting again, the captain stepped on board 
the boat and, amid the hearty cheers of the sailors and 
the waving of handkerchiefs from the shore, sailed away 
from our island, standing in the boat to wave his cocked 
hat in farewell to us all. 

Six months passed and the autumn was approaching, 
but as yet no ship had reached our shores. Great addi- 
tions and alterations had been made in our dwellings. 
Several chambers were formed, by encroaching upon the 
interior of our salt cavern, to provide winter accommoda- 
tion for Mr. Wolston and his family. To our surprise, 
while digging farther back in the cave, we had come sud- 
denly upon another opening in the rock, at the extreme 
end of the cave. 

With the help of my sons and the assistance of 
Mr. Wolston, whose health had greatly improved, we 
formed at this part of the cave a dwelling similar to our 
own and erected a veranda and pigeon house ; and at the 
end of the six months the former was already covered 
with creeping plants. 

As to the ladies, they had spinning wheels and weav- 
ing machines. ’ They made linen and flannel and cloth ; 
they knitted stockings, made and mended our clothes, 
helped in the cooking, — for we all took our meals to- 
gether, — the younger ones being trained by my Wife to 
make useful and clever housekeepers. 

The books and drawing materials brought by Minnie 
and Lucy Wolston had proved a great advantage both to 
[410] 


CONCLUSION 


themselves and to Jenny. The latter was able to sketch 
and paint landscapes and flowers from nature and to 
teach the two girls what she herself knew of the art. 
She had, moreover, other pupils in the rainy season, for, 
by the light of spermaceti candles, the young men under 
Jenny’s guidance could amuse themselves for hours with 
this pleasant accomplishment. 

And so the months wore away. The rainy season 
was just over, when one morning. Jack, who had been 
on the lookout for some time, heard a gun fired at sea. 
He rushed into the field where I was busy with Fritz, 
exclaiming : " Father, there is a signal gun ! Did you 
not hear it ” 

"No,” I replied, but at that moment there came the 
report of another. 

Fritz threw down his spade. 

" Go and answer them. Jack,” he cried, as he ran 
towards the shore. "It is the English ship we expect; 
they want a pilot.” 

I was left alone with a full heart and for a few minutes 
was unable to move. These guns were a signal that I 
should lose my boys and my adopted daughter. At last 
I turned towards Rock Castle and found my wife sitting 
at work in the veranda. 

" It has come at last,” I said sadly. 

" What has come .? ” she asked in a trembling voice. 

" The ship from England,” I replied. 

She turned very pale, but said presently, "It is God’s 
will ; we cannot keep the young birds in the nest 
always.” 


[411 ] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

Louder and stronger reports aroused us, and my wife, 
rising, accompanied me to the shore, from which we 
could look across the bay. 

There, in full sail, came a stately ship, which presently 
entered Deliverance Bay and approached as near the 
shore as the depth of the water would allow. Then 
from the deck rose cheers that were reechoed from the 
rocks, bringing Ernest and Frank and every inmate of 
the dwelling to the spot on which we stood. 

" A ship from England ! ” exclaimed Jenny Montrose ; 
"it is come for me ! O mother, mother, how can I 
leave you ? ” And she threw herself into the arms of 
the adopted mother whose love she had won. 

Ernest and Frank looked grave and were silent. 
Meanwhile there was great commotion on the beach ; 
the ship’s boat was landing passengers, among whom 
were Jack and Fritz. 

" They are come for us, mother ! ” they exclaimed as 
they approached, but her pale face and tearful eyes 
checked their eager joy. 

" Father,” said Fritz, " here is the captain. He has 
brought letters for you and Miss Montrose.” 

I took mine quietly. One of them was evidently a gov- 
ernment dispatch ; the others were from my friends in 
Switzerland. Jenny seized hers and ran away to read it 
alone, while only my wife had the presence of mind to 
invite the captain to our home and offer him hospitality. 

It proved as I expected. An English vessel with 
emigrants to New South Wales had been chartered to 
call at a bay in a certain latitude and longitude, but the 
[412] 


CONCLUSION 


captain, being rather alarmed at the appearance of the 
rocky coast, had fired two signal guns in the hope of 
finding a pilot for his ship in these dangerous waters. 
He understood, he said, that he had to take back with 
him at least three passengers, a lady and two gentlemen, 
and as he should sail in three days, he hoped they would 
be ready to accompany him. 

The captain spent a pleasant evening with us, prom- 
ising to return on the morrow to go over the estate with 
me. He congratulated me on the colonization of New 
Switzerland and made himself altogether agreeable. But 
it was only by a great effort that my wife, Fritz, and 
myself could converse or listen. 

We longed for an hour to talk over alone this sudden 
separation, and both my wife and I felt sure that Fritz 
had another question to ask before he decided to sail to 
England. 

The brothers understood his wish to be alone with his 
mother and myself. Jenny also seemed a little conscious, 
and when they retired to rest she rose quickly to follow 
their example. 

But when she approached to wish my wife good night, 
she could only throw her arms about her neck and ex- 
claim amid her tears : ” Dear mother, how can I leave 
you and dear father, after all .? Papa’s letter requests my 
return to England with the captain, and I must go.” 

” My dear daughter,” I said, for the mother seemed 
unable to speak, ” we have no right to keep you here. 
And now cheer up, Jenny. You will perhaps be able to 
visit us again in this island, some day, with your husband.” 

[413] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 

She blushed and smiled through her tears as she 
wished me good night. 

" Father, do you know my secret ? ” asked Fritz. 

" I do know it, my son,” I replied, "but without the 
unqualified consent of Sir William Montrose, I cannot 
encourage your hopes. Have you said anything to 
Jenny .? ” 

"No, father, not a word; I only speak of it to you, 
that I may be free to ask her father’s approval when 
we reach England. Mother,” continued he, " could you 
receive Jenny as a daughter .? ” 

" With the greatest love and confidence,” she replied ; 
" and although you are both going to leave us, it will be 
a happy day for me .when I hear that she is your wife.” 

The young man’s heart seemed too full for words ; 
the tears stood in his eyes, and at last, with an effort, 
he pressed my hand, took his mother in his arms, and 
exclaiming, " I bless God for my parents! ” hurried from 
the room. 

Next day all was bustle and activity; the sailors’ 
chests were brought out and packed with everything 
considered necessary for the travelers. The spirit of 
activity appeared to rule the household, while many gifts 
were exchanged between the young people, to be pre- 
served as tokens of remembrance. 

I gave the two young men a share of my possessions 
with which to begin the world, and as a means of com- 
merce, pearls, coral, precious stones, and other valuable 
productions of the island, which I knew would be most 
salable in Europe. 


[414] 


CONCLUSION 


I also gave them earnest counsel, which was founded on 
trust and confidence in God, and on my own experience. 
I reminded them of my teachings during their childhood 
and youth, and begged them never to wander from the 
paths of virtue or forget the duty they owed to our 
Heavenly Father, who, during our stay on the island, 
had preserved them in so many dangers. 

As the young people were expected on board ship 
next day at four o’clock, I had invited the captain and 
officers to a farewell dinner. 

They arrived in the boat which was to take the lug- 
gage on board, and I was glad of the opportunity to 
place in the hands of the captain several articles in my 
possession, belonging to the captain of the ship in which 
we had been wrecked, in the hope that possibly he might 
be still living. 

I had placed them in a casket found in the captain’s 
cabin, with the gold pieces and money, as well as a 
paper containing an account of the shipwreck, which 
I had compiled, and a list of the officers and crew of 
the ship. 

The captain promised to make every inquiry and to 
place the casket in safe-keeping. He was also glad to 
supply me with guns and ammunition in exchange for 
provisions. I therefore sent on board cattle, sheep, and 
poultry, as well as salted meat, dried fish, vegetables, and 
fruit of every kind, all of which were of the greatest 
value to him and the passengers. 

For the sake of our travelers we endeavored to be 
cheerful and in good spirits, and the agreeable good 

[415] 


THE SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON 


humor of the visitors made this task less difficult. At 
last, after two toasts, one to the prosperity of New 
Switzerland and the other to the safe passage of our 
ship, the leave-taking came. 

We preferred to say farewell on shore. The brothers, 
although pal* with emotion at this their first separation, 
kept up bravely ; but when the last moment came they 
threw themselves into each other’s arms, quite regard- 
less of the eyes of strangers. With streaming eyes Jenny 
clung to the mother and was scarcely able to speak. 

Then came the worst parting of all — the mother 
from her two tall sons. But they were brave and hope- 
ful ; they embraced her fondly and whispered hopes of 
another meeting with cheerfulness and encouragement. 
The mother’s was the last kiss. She seated herself on 
a camp stool near the shore, for she had no power to 
stand, and I stood by and held her hand. Ernest, be- 
hind his mother, threw his arm around her shoulders, 
while Frank, nearer the water, took off his cap as the 
boat moved, and gave three cheers, which were answered 
from all on board. 

We watched the progress of the boat, saw our dear 
ones embark on board the vessel, and did not move 
from the spot till the good ship had rounded the point 
and was out of sight. 

Before he left I placed in the hands of Fritz the 
journal of our doings on the island after we were ship- 
wrecked and desired him to employ a printer in Europe 
and have it published. 


[416] 


CONCLUSION 


I hoped that this simply written story of our lives on 
the lonely island, if brought before the eyes of the 
young, would point out to them what great results may 
be achieved by industry and perseverance in spite of 
difficulties, and above all, prove to them that the bless- 
ing of God will rest on any undertaking which is carried 
on in a right spirit and with a firm confidence in his 
protection and assistance. 

It is late in the night. On the morrow my dear ones 
will be far away. 

My story is told. May God be with us and our absent 
ones ! I greet thee, Europe ; I greet thee, old Switzer- 
land. May New Switzerland in the future be strong and 
flourishing, pious and happy, as art thou. 


[417] 



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